Parallel key

A key Variant or short variant of a key is the same major or minor key, which starts on the same root and is based on Variant sounds.

They are called in English keys in parallel, but are not to be confused with the parallel keys.

For example:

• C- major, minor variant: C Minor
• F sharp minor, Durvariante: F sharp major

Variant keys can be used in the following manner:

• To " lighten " a minor sentence in cyclical works ( eg at the end )
• As a key of the second ( slow ) movement in cyclical works
• In variation sets as character varying ( " Minore " )
• Add songs to change the mood ( same melody, Tongeschlechtwechsel. )

Famous example of the use of a variant key is Beethoven's Symphony No. 5: Your basic key is C minor, the last sentence, the final, however, is in C major. This effect is illustrated by the phrase Per aspera ad astra ( "Through the Rough Sleeping in Light" ).