Brief Summary
This video explains the concept of multipolar tonality, a music theory concept found in Japanese anime and video game music, as detailed in the book "Japanese Music Harmony" by Kayano Chino. It differentiates multipolar tonality from polytonality and modulation, and outlines Kayano's method for analyzing key fluctuations within a musical passage. The video also introduces three types of key fluctuations: Relative Multipolar Tonality (RMT), Dominant Multipolar Tonality (DMT), and Parallel Multipolar Tonality (PMT), each offering unique relationships between the main key and polar keys, resulting in distinct sounds and effects.
- Multipolar tonality involves multiple tonal centers in succession while maintaining the presence of the original key.
- Kayano's analysis method involves identifying a main key and polar keys within a musical sentence.
- RMT uses chords from the relative major or minor of the main key for a subtle, bittersweet sound.
- DMT uses keys from the subdominant and dominant relationships of the main key, allowing for subdominant to dominant key relationships.
- PMT uses parallel major and minor keys, creating a magical, otherworldly feeling.
Intro
The video introduces the concept of multipolar tonality found in Japanese anime and video game music, which traditional music theory can't always explain. The video references a passage from Spirited Away that shifts from A minor to C minor and back. Kayano Chino's book, "Japanese Music Harmony," explains this concept as multipolar tonality or key fluctuation. The video aims to explain multipolar tonality, differentiate it from other explanations of non-diatonic chords, explain the analysis method, and show how it can be useful with the three kinds of key fluctuations.
What is Multipolar Tonality?
Tonal music revolves around a focal point or pole, such as C in C major. Multipolar tonality suggests having more than one gravitational center. It differs from polytonality, where different tonalities occur simultaneously. Multipolar tonality involves different tonal centers in succession, unlike modulation, where music settles into a new key. In multipolar tonality, the original key remains present, with key fluctuations occurring within a section or idea, while modulations mark distinct sections.
Analysis
Kayano's analysis method involves labeling an 8-bar section as a sentence, divided into two 4-bar phrases, each with a 2-bar motif. In the Spirited Away example, a 12-bar structure is divided into 4 plus 8 bars. The main key is determined by the first chord of the first motif. Polar keys are identified by accidentals outside the main key, considering the motif as a whole to determine the most sensible key. The example uses A minor as the main key and identifies C minor as a polar key due to the presence of Eb and Ab. The notation system involves writing the main key followed by the polar keys in brackets, using Roman numeral relationships to the main key. For example, C minor is written as flat three minor in relation to A minor. The chords are then analyzed using Roman numerals based on their local key, with numbers indicating the key from the list, starting with zero for the main key.
RMT
Relative multipolar tonality (RMT) involves using chords from the relative major or minor of the main key. The relative minor shares the same key signature as the major key, with the primary difference being the V chord in minor, which has a raised leading tone. RMT emphasizes major and minor chords a third apart, creating a whimsical, bittersweet, or melancholy sound. An example is provided where the first phrase is in C major, and the second phrase is in the polar key of A minor, transitioning seamlessly back to C major.
DMT
Dominant multipolar tonality (DMT) uses polar keys from the subdominant and dominant relationships of the main key, one step away on the circle of fifths. This provides a main key and five polar keys to work with. DMT allows for subdominant to dominant key relationships, similar to standard chord progressions but on a wider level. An example in D minor moves through the subdominant key of G minor and the dominant key of A minor, featuring accidentals that create interesting chromatic lines and unexpected chord choices. This maintains an overriding feeling of the main key, D minor, making modulations seem inappropriate.
PMT
Parallel multipolar tonality (PMT) involves parallel major and minor keys, which share the same tonic. To reach the parallel minor key, one must move three steps away on the circle of fifths. PMT uses all the major and minor keys along the way, resulting in seven polar choices, and extends this by including the subdominant and dominant relationships on either side, resulting in 11 polar keys. PMT creates a film score-like magic quality, similar to chromatic mediant chords. The Spirited Away example uses PMT to evoke a magical, spiritual, and otherworldly feeling.
