Pseudo-modulation is a little known technique that any pianist can use to brighten up a song. The idea is to apparently modulate to a new key, but really end up in the same key. Most non-musicians will never notice it consciously, but they will “feel” the lift it gives to the song. And musicians will likely say “How did you do that?”

Watch this minute-and-a-half video and you’ll get the picture:

Pseudo-Modulation — False Modulation from chordman on Vimeo.