c. MODULATION

The modulation is the change from one tone to another, change which in Sardinian folk songs may be temporary, if it returns to the tone from which it began, of constant if it finishes on a new tone.

Still taking example of coral songs, a cuncordu and a tenore, interesting and original elements in the examination of the modulations can be found, both temporary or constant. In a coral song we can find examples of modulation for:
- sonorous passages or adlibbing
- chromates

I. Modulation for sonorous passages or adlibbing

The modulation for sonorous passages is the most frequent in Sardinian folk songs. It consists of changes in the tone without previous preparation. In the 3 ballo sardo3, from the original tone it then continuously alternates to a lower tone. Let’s take for example the canto a tenore which is synonym of ballu a cantigu. I will name one for all Su passu letru (Fig. 10) from Alà dei Sardi; from SOL it passes to FA, to then return to the tone that it began with that ends the song.

Fig. 10 - Adlibbing tones in Su passu lestru from Alà dei Sardi (Performers: SOS NURATTOLOS di Alà dei Sardi)


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Another example of modulation adlibbing can be considered the already nominate Oe cun rara armonia (Bulzi), Malthru Juanni (Castelsardo), Te Deum e Regina coeli (Nulvi), Tiaru Tundu (Ittireddu), Sa passione 'è Gesu Cristu (Nugheddu San Nicolò), Gosos de Rughe Santa (Bulzi), Te Deum (Perfugas), Su ballu mannu (Alà dei Sardi) and many others.

II. Modulation for chromates

The modulation for chromates is also typical in Sardinian folk songs. This type of modulation consists in the alteration of the tone of a chromatic semitone of the first chord, which becomes the third of the new chord, i.e. the new seventh of the dominant.

In Oe cun rara armonia (Bulzi) (Fig. 11), the beginning chord, which is the dominant of a temporary tone (but which is also the keynote of the primary tone) has three notes in common with the new seventh, of which is altered in an ascending manner, to become the sensible (seventh grade musical note) of the following tone.

Fig. 11 - Modulation for chromatism in Oe cun rara armonia di Bulzi
(Performed by: SU CORO 'E CHEREMULE)


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