Which term designates a chord that serves as a bridge between two keys during modulation?

• A. Pivot Chord
• B. Dominant Seventh
• C. Tonic
• D. Subdominant

Answer: (A)

A pivot chord is a chord that serves as a bridge between two keys during modulation. It belongs to both keys or can be reinterpreted with different harmonic function in the new key, allowing a smooth shift in tonal center. For example, moving from C major to F major, the C major chord can be used as the pivot: in C major it functions as tonic (I), but in F major it functions as dominant (V). This dual role lets the music transition quietly into the new key and continue with chords in that key. The other concepts describe functions within a single key rather than bridging to a new one: a dominant seventh is a tension-building chord that resolves to the tonic, while the tonic and subdominant refer to the home key and its IV, not to modulation between keys.