When did the half-step/whole-step modulation in the middle of a song become popular?

Question

Many pop songs in modern times will use a half step or a whole step modulation in the middle of a song in order to increase excitement. I would like to know when this strategy started, and if it is ever present in classical music, because I have never seen it in anywhere but modern pop songs.

Answer 1

I believe what you're referring to is Phrase Modulation, modulation in which one phrase ends with a cadence in the original key, and the next phrase begins in the destination key without any transition material linking the two keys. You'll learn about it in music theory when you begin harmonic analysis.

Like the last answer said, this is very common in classical music and it's used in almost every type of music. (I do think that often it is emphasized in pop music in a jarring way, and I wonder if that's what you're referring to!)

Answer 2

I can't tell you exactly when it became popular, but modulation of extremely common in classical music. In sonata form it is most common to modulate to the V (certainly more than just a whole step) and then returning to the home key by the end of the piece.