AP Music Theory

Advanced Placement Music Theory covering musical notation, harmony, and composition.

Musical Notation BasicsScales and Key SignaturesIntervals and Chords
Voice Leading and Part WritingAdvanced Harmonic FunctionsComposition Techniques
Analyzing Sheet MusicArranging and PerformingCreating Original Music
Effective Sight-ReadingAcing the AP Music Theory Exam
Musical Notation Bas...Scales and Key Signa...Intervals and ChordsVoice Leading and Pa...Advanced Harmonic Fu...Composition Techniqu...Analyzing Sheet Musi...Arranging and Perfor...Creating Original Mu...Effective Sight-Read...Acing the AP Music T...
Advanced Topics

Voice Leading and Part Writing

Mastering Voice Leading and Part Writing

Voice leading is the art of moving from one chord to another smoothly, making each individual part (voice) singable and musical.

The Four Voices

Traditional part writing uses four voices: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Each has its own range and role.

Principles of Voice Leading

  • Move each voice by the smallest possible interval.
  • Avoid parallel fifths and octaves between voices.
  • Keep common tones when possible.
  • Resolve tendency tones correctly (e.g., the leading tone resolves up to tonic).

Chord Progressions

Good part writing leads to beautiful chord progressions that sound natural and expressive.

Why It Matters

Voice leading is essential in choral arranging, string quartets, and even pop music production!

Examples

  • A choir sings a Bach chorale with perfectly smooth voice leading.

  • A songwriter arranges backing vocals to avoid awkward jumps.

In a Nutshell

Voice leading connects chords smoothly, making music sound natural and singable.

Key Terms

Parallel Fifths
When two voices move in perfect fifths in the same direction, which is generally avoided in classical harmony.
Tendency Tone
A note that naturally resolves to another, such as the leading tone resolving to tonic.
Next
Advanced Harmonic Functions