🎼Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes
Stop jumping between chord shapes and start moving each voice deliberately. You'll trace four independent lines through real progressions, fix the parallel-fifth and leap problems that flatten amateur arrangements, and finish by writing a 16-bar progression where every voice moves by step wherever possible.
Phase 1The Four Hidden Lines Inside Every Chord
Hear four independent voices inside one chord
A chord isn't a block — it's four people singing
6 minA chord isn't a block — it's four people singing
Find the note that doesn't have to move
6 minFind the note that doesn't have to move
When a voice has to move, move it by step
7 minWhen a voice has to move, move it by step
The one rule even Beethoven obeyed
7 minThe one rule even Beethoven obeyed
Phase 2Connecting I-IV-V With the Smallest Possible Moves
Connect I-IV-V with minimum movement and inversions
C to F without leaping anything
7 minC to F without leaping anything
Inversions are voice leading's secret weapon
7 minInversions are voice leading's secret weapon
The bass line is its own melody — write it that way
7 minThe bass line is its own melody — write it that way
Same melody, smoother chords underneath
7 minSame melody, smoother chords underneath
When voices move apart, the music opens up
7 minWhen voices move apart, the music opens up
Phase 3Voice Leading in Bach, Pop, and Jazz
Spot voice leading in Bach, pop ballads, and jazz
You're given a soprano melody and three voices to fill in
8 minYou're given a soprano melody and three voices to fill in
The piano part you can't quite figure out by ear
7 minThe piano part you can't quite figure out by ear
Why jazz pianists barely move their hands
8 minWhy jazz pianists barely move their hands
You've heard a Bach cadence in a Top 40 song this week
7 minYou've heard a Bach cadence in a Top 40 song this week
Phase 4A 16-Bar Progression That Moves By Step
Arrange a 16-bar progression with each voice moving by step
Arrange 16 bars where every voice moves by step
8 minArrange 16 bars where every voice moves by step
Frequently asked questions
- What is voice leading in music theory?
- This is covered in the “Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why are parallel fifths considered bad in voice leading?
- This is covered in the “Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I keep common tones between chords on guitar or piano?
- This is covered in the “Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What's the difference between voice leading and chord voicing?
- This is covered in the “Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do Bach chorales use voice leading differently than pop songs?
- This is covered in the “Learn Voice Leading for Smooth Chord Changes” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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