leading tone
Seventh scale degree
The leading tone is the seventh note of a major or minor scale, sitting a half step below the tonic.
Its instability creates a strong pull toward resolution upward to the tonic: The leading tone wants to resolve.
This tension-release relationship is fundamental to Western harmony, driving chord progressions toward their home key.
Invigorating medicinal drink
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dominantHaving superior influence
- seventhOrdinal for seven
- half-stepSmallest Western musical interval
cadence · pull · gravity · attraction · approach · preparation · anticipation · upward
Tendency toward unpredictable change
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- urgencyPressing need for action
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anticipationState of awaiting something
unrest · restlessness · yearning · longing · drive · momentum · energy · expectation
Seven-tone scale-based
- chromaticRelating to color
- majorOf chief importance
- minorScale with lowered third
- raisedLifted higher up
sharp · interval · tritone · chord · progression · counterpoint · modulation · tonality
Harmonious sound combination
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- releaseTo let go
- settlingReaching resolution or rest
- closureSense of emotional resolution
rest · home · finality · satisfaction · completion · relaxation · arrival · cadential
tonic
Invigorating medicinal drink
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dominantHaving superior influence
- seventhOrdinal for seven
half-step · cadence · pull · gravity · attraction · approach · preparation · anticipation · upward · ascent
instability
Tendency toward unpredictable change
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- urgencyPressing need for action
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
anticipation · unrest · restlessness · yearning · longing · drive · momentum · energy · expectation · incompleteness
diatonic
Seven-tone scale-based
raised · sharp · interval · tritone · chord · progression · counterpoint · modulation · tonality · key
consonance
Harmonious sound combination
closure · rest · home · finality · satisfaction · completion · relaxation · arrival · cadential
leading tonetonic
Invigorating medicinal drink
root · resolution · final · dominant
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