I tried looking this up on the 'net but didn't get very far. What I'm after is some suggestions of songs that change key. Not merely modulate up (or down) a whole tone or semi tone, but a key change, preferably from the I to the IV as in C to F.
I have a couple of examples: - Beer Barrel Polka (i.e. Roll Out The Barrel) - Under The Double Eagle
There are some that change from I to V like San Antonio Rose, but for harmonica cross harp playing in the second position, it's easier (at least for me) to have the song go from I to IV.
Is there a "proper name" for that kind of song? It may be easier to google if I knew what to call it! lol
Songs that modulate is all I can think of to search. For a great example, though you specified country, here's a song that changes key 22 times as covered by a bunch of Staten Island people who collectively call themselves The Band Geeks. It's a Sergio Mendez classic called Never Gonna Let You Go. And while you are watching, listening for the key changes, and laughing because they present it in a humorous way, play close attention to how frickin' good these people are. The guy playing guitar and singing is from Blue Oyster Cult.
Absolutely sensational. Amazing talent. (By about half way through I wanted to be the drummer )
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Great find eddie, I'll check for "modulating songs". I always thought that was just the half or full step change but wikipedia says it's any key change.
That drummer tours with Kasim Sultan and fills in with BOC. The cute girl is (sadly) now Richie's (guitar player) EX wife. She was the darling of that channel and when they parted ways he lost a lot of his male followers. LOL!!
But if you wander that channel, OMG the music they play. They did that cover of Roundabout during quarantine and I think Richie told me it took them almost 2 weeks for everybody to get through all the takes it took to play their parts and then for him to assemble the video. The thing for me is that they are such GREAT singers! Ann Marie has a BA in Music from a private college. teaches music and voice at Richie's father's music store (awkward) as well as in a private high school. Richie has a BA from Berklee College of Music and won some major award there his senior year. Andy the drummer is a better keyboard player than he is a drummer, if you can imagine that. There's one on their channel where they cover Africa and it's just "wow". Also a guy named Mike Tirelli comes in to sing the Coverdale kind of stuff and they did Here I Go Again BETTER than Whitesnake. Truly an amazing group of players.
But that cover of the Sergio song... is that some singing or what?
Check out this video from Signals Music Studio on modulations and key changes. I sub this channel. It's excellent!
Also, check out the "Music Theory For Guitar" YouTube channel. There are quite a few videos that deal with modulations and key changes. Another excellent channel that I sub.
However, I appreciate a song that temporarily changes from the tonic key. I remember the old "big band" musicians that I talked with when I was a young pro in a rock band, they called the bridge "The Release" because it released you from the tonic key.
In my feeble attempts at writing songs, I find the 'release' the most difficult part to write. I'm my own worst critic and everything I write sounds corny to me.
That said, any song, country or otherwise that uses a 12 bar blues progression has a 'bridge/release/key-change'. When it goes the the IV (sub-dominant) on the 5th measure it is changing the key for a couple of bars.
I think some performances of "Mac The Knife" may have changed up a semitone at the start of each chorus.
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Roger Miller did a lot of that. Chug-a-lug, Bobbie McGee, Engine, Engine #9, One Dyin’ and a Buryin’, Swing Low Swingin’ Chariot, Swiss Maid, and King of the Road come to mind.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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