MUSIC THEORY

Mod 31

• Subject of the Day: Review of Voice Leading Procedures in Four Voices
• Reading Assignment: None
• Written Assignment: Voice-leading Procedures with Answer Sheet (handout)
• Semester Schedule

A.     Root position (root of chord in bass) - Every chord must have 2 ROOTS, 1 THIRD, and 1 FIFTH

        1.     Repetition of the same chord

                a.    Move the 3 upper voices in SIMILAR motion to the NEAREST note of the second chord

                b.    1) Bass and one other voice remain stationary

                        2) Other two voice EXCHANGE CHORD TONES
 

         2.     Chords whose roots are a fifth apart

                 a.    1) Retain the COMMON TONE in the same voice

                        2) Move the other two voices STEPWISE IN THE SAME DIRECTION

                 b.    Move the three upper voices in SIMILAR MOTION TO THE NEAREST notes of the next chord (No voice
                        should skip more than a 3rd)

                 c.    1) Move the THIRD of the first chord to the THIRD of the second chord

                        2) Retain the COMMON TONE  in the same voice

                        3) Move the remaining voice STEPWISE

                  d.    Final cadence (only)

                         1) TRIPLE THE ROOT of the tonic chord (7-8, 2-1)

                         2) Move the remaining voice to the 3rd of the chord

         3.       Chords whose roots are a third apart

                   a) Retain the TWO COMMON TONES in the same voices

                   b) Move the remaining voice STEPWISE to the chord tone
 

          4.      Chords whose roots are a second apart

                    a.    Move the three upper voices (IN CONTRARY MOTION TO THE BASS) to the nearest chord tones

                    EXCEPTION: V-VI  (V-vi)
                    Leading tone goes to tonic resulting in a doubled third in VI (vi) chord

If you still have questions,  contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu