7/9 7. Introduction to Voice Leading Free Online FlashCards

What is voice leading?

Voice leading is the way individual musical lines move from one harmony to the next.

What is the normal SATB voice order?

The standard order from highest to lowest is soprano, alto, tenor, bass: S > A > T > B.

What spacing is typical in SATB writing?

The soprano–alto and alto–tenor intervals are usually no more than an octave; the tenor and bass may be farther apart.

How do voice crossing and voice overlap differ?

Voice crossing occurs when a higher voice moves below a lower voice; voice overlap occurs when a voice moves beyond the previous position of another voice.

Which chord member is commonly doubled in a root-position triad?

The root is commonly doubled in a basic root-position triad because it reinforces the chord’s identity.

What is a common tone?

A common tone is a pitch shared by two adjacent chords; retaining it in the same voice creates no motion and often produces the smoothest connection.

What motion hierarchy generally supports smooth voice leading?

Prefer common tones first, then half or whole steps, then thirds; larger leaps may be necessary but should support a coherent melodic line.

How does the leading tone normally resolve?

The leading tone, scale degree $\hat{7}$, normally resolves upward by semitone to tonic, scale degree $\hat{1}$. In C major, B normally moves to C.

How does a chordal seventh normally resolve?

A chordal seventh normally resolves downward by step. For example, F in G–B–D–F typically moves to E.

Why are parallel fifths and octaves avoided?

Parallel fifths and octaves occur when two voices move in the same direction and retain a perfect fifth or octave; they are generally avoided because they weaken voice independence.

How do similar, contrary, and oblique motion differ?

Similar motion has both voices moving in the same direction by different intervals; contrary motion has them moving in opposite directions; oblique motion has one moving while the other stays.

What is a reliable procedure for connecting two chords?

Write the bass, shape or preserve the soprano, retain common tones, resolve tendency tones, complete the inner voices, then check spacing, parallels, and leaps.