Lesson: Common Tones

Hello and welcome to Chord Chemistry. In our previous lessons we have studied the inversions of seventh chords, voice leading, and common tones. In this lesson we will concentrate on voice leading. I've composed a simple diatonic chord progression that is designed to contain many common tones. If you are wondering what exactly what common tones are, they are notes that are contained in multiple chords. For instance, a simple G major chord will have the notes G, B,and, D. The C major chord contains the notes C, E, and G. There is a common tone, or a note that both chords contain. This note is G and most likely a guitar or piano player would hold the same note down while changing chords. In the following examples I have tried to keep as many common tones as possible. I many cases I have added tensions to the chords in order to keep a common tone. I've also used some chord substitutions to accommodate the common tones.