5.3 Voice Leading Principles

• Good voice leading prefers stepwise motion whenever possible.
• How should dissonances such as tritones or seventh intervals resolve in voice leading?

  In a predictable and consonant manner
• Arrange the following voice leading principles in order of importance:

  1️⃣ Smooth Movement

  2️⃣ Avoiding Parallels

  3️⃣ Resolving Dissonances
• Which interval should be resolved upwards by a half step in voice leading?

  Leading tone
• Match the type of voice leading with its example:

  Smooth Movement ↔️ Stepwise motion between chords

  Poor Voice Leading ↔️ Large leaps without purpose

  Clear Resolution of Dissonances ↔️ Predictable and consonant resolution
• Leaps should be used sparingly in voice leading to avoid abrupt changes.

  True
• Stepwise motion is preferred in voice leading to create smooth and logical movement.


  True
• Stepwise motion in voice leading refers to movement by half or whole steps
• Why should parallel fifths and octaves be avoided in voice leading?

  They weaken independence
• A leading tone in voice leading should resolve upwards by a half step.


  True
• Contrary motion is preferred in voice leading because it enhances balance
• What does voice leading ensure within a harmonic progression?

  Clarity, balance, aesthetic appeal
• Parallel fifths and parallel octaves should be avoided in voice leading.

  True
• Match the voice leading principle with its characteristic:

  Smooth Movement ↔️ Stepwise motion

  Avoiding Parallels ↔️ Independent voice movement

  Resolving Dissonances ↔️ Predictable resolution
• Leaps should be used frequently to add interest in voice leading.

  False
• Parallel fifths and parallel octaves weaken the independence of voices and create a muddy sound.
• Arrange the following steps in resolving dissonances in voice leading:

  1️⃣ Identify the dissonance

  2️⃣ Determine the type of resolution

  3️⃣ Move the dissonant note by a half step
• Seventh intervals should resolve downwards by a half step in voice leading.
• What is an example of poor voice leading?

  Large leaps without clear purpose
• What is the primary focus of voice leading in music theory?

  Smooth melodic movement
• Leaps should be used frequently in voice leading to create variety.

  False
• Each voice in voice leading should move independently to maintain clarity
• What type of motion occurs when voices move in the same direction by the same intervals?

  Parallel motion
• Match the type of motion with its description:

  Parallel Motion ↔️ Voices move in the same direction

  Contrary Motion ↔️ Voices move in opposite directions
• Oblique motion helps preserve the independence of voices
• Which intervals should be avoided in parallel motion to maintain clarity?

  Fifths and octaves
• Parallel fifths and octaves enhance the clarity of voice independence.

  False
• Good voice leading prefers stepwise motion over leaps.
• What types of parallel intervals should be avoided in voice leading?

  Fifths and octaves
• Parallel movement in voice leading is preferred because it enhances independence between voices.

  False
• Why is contrary motion often preferred in voice leading?

  Enhances clarity and balance
• What is oblique motion in voice leading?

  One voice remains static
• Similar motion should be used frequently in voice leading to create a balanced sound.

  False
• Voice overlaps occur when the ranges of different voices intersect.
• Cross-relations should always be avoided in good voice leading.

  False
• What does a cross-relation in voice leading create?

  Harmonic ambiguity
• Parallel motion creates a balanced and clear sound.

  False
• What is the defining characteristic of oblique motion in voice leading?

  One voice remains static
• Similar motion weakens the independence of voices in voice leading.

  True
• In good voice leading, stepwise motion should be preferred to leaps