The leading tone is the seventh scale degree in a diatonic scale, which has a strong tendency to resolve upward to the tonic note, creating a sense of tension and resolution in music. This characteristic plays a crucial role in establishing functional harmony, as it connects the dominant chord to the tonic, enhancing the overall harmonic progression.
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In a major scale, the leading tone is always one half step below the tonic, creating a strong pull towards it.
In minor scales, the leading tone is raised (known as the melodic minor scale) to maintain this tension-resolution relationship.
The leading tone is fundamental in establishing cadences, especially in perfect authentic cadences where it resolves to the tonic.
Voice leading rules dictate that when moving from the leading tone to the tonic, it's often best for the leading tone to ascend by step to create smooth transitions between voices.
In non-harmonic contexts, such as chromaticism or modal interchange, the concept of a leading tone can still apply if it functions similarly to create tension and resolution.
Review Questions
How does the leading tone contribute to harmonic progression and functional harmony within a piece of music?
The leading tone plays a critical role in harmonic progression and functional harmony by creating a strong desire to resolve to the tonic. This tension arises because the leading tone is just a half step below the tonic, making its resolution feel inevitable. When used within dominant chords, it enhances the pull toward resolving to the tonic, thus reinforcing key relationships and helping establish tonal centers.
In what ways does voice leading affect how the leading tone resolves in SATB arrangements?
In SATB arrangements, voice leading principles guide how each voice interacts during harmonic changes, particularly with the leading tone. Typically, when a voice holds the leading tone, it will move up by step to reach the tonic, while other voices may move more freely to maintain smoothness. This creates an effective blend and supports the overall harmony while ensuring that each voice's movement complements that critical resolution.
Evaluate how altering the leading tone in a minor scale can impact musical tension and resolution compared to its use in a major scale.
Altering the leading tone in a minor scale, particularly raising it to create a melodic minor form, significantly impacts musical tension and resolution. This change maintains that essential half-step relationship with the tonic found in major scales, fostering similar tension that seeks resolution. However, its altered nature can also introduce unique emotional nuances or unexpected resolutions that differentiate minor tonality from major. This adaptability makes the leading tone a powerful tool for composers when exploring diverse harmonic landscapes.