What Is Voice Leading?
Beginners Addition
Voice Leading (American) or Part-Writing (British) refers (or in my case; brings light) to the steady motion of notes, as we switch between chords in a progression.
/ Also known as the Linear Progression of melodic lines and their interaction with one another to create harmonies - for instance; keeping a familiar note fixed whilst moving around with other notes.
It is the interlacing movement of notes (and/or voices) from one chord to the next, which forms a pleasing sound to the brain. Voice Leading is the smoothest manner possible to connect chords, and it applies to any type of voicing.
Linear Progression? ~ In which a state of something changes or progresses straight from one >>mark<< to the other. It is a starting point, and an ending point.
Melodic Lines? ~ A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence or, stand-out voice.
>>Voice << Leading? ~ Doesn't always mean vocal parts!
A lot of 'progressive words'. I was very confused on this in the beginning, so as not to bombard myself (and you) with a tsunami of information, I watched this:
This became somewhat of a lifesaver
^^^ Basically, voice leading can "make your chord progressions sound a lot smoother". ^^^
" We want the music to have coherence, not just harmonically, but also in the melodic dimension (the horizontal dimension) and Voice Leading, is how we achieve that".
- Kendall Kennison
The 4 types of Relative Motion
Relative Motion meaning the way the parts move against each other.
- Contrary
- Parallel
- Similar
- Oblique
This video perfectly explains these types of motion:
^^ 2:38 minutes in. ^^
Getting more in depth...
The Traditional Rules for Voice Leading
- Registral Compass Rule.
- Textured Density Rule.
- Chord Spacing Rule.
- Avoid Unisons Rule.
- Common Tone Rule.
- Nearest Chordal Tone Rule.
- Conjuct Motion Rule.
- Avoid Leaps Rule.
- Part-Crossing Rule.
- Part Overlap Rule.
- Parallel Unisons, Fifths & Octaves Rule.
- Consecutive Unisons, Fifths & Octaves Rule.
- Exposed (or hidden or direct) Octaves & Fifths Rule.
For the detailed explanation, click on the link below:
For an introduction to Voice Leading, that should cover it.
Helpful Links!
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