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Voice Leading for Guitar John Thomas Chapter 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

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CHAPTER 1
Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading
Harmony Review
Chord Types: Diatonic Seventh Chords
In jazz, you will encounter only seven kinds of diatonic seventh chords (from major, melodic minor, or harmonic minor keys). This book will show you how to voice lead smoothly and easily between these chords and their variations. The simplest forms of these chord types appear below.
Symbol: CMaj7 C7 C(Maj7) C7 C7( 5) Cmaj7( 5) C 7

Chord Name:

major 7

dominant 7

minor-major 7

minor 7

minor 7( 5)

major 7( 5)

diminished 7

Roman Num.: IMaj7

I7

I(Maj7)

I7

I7( 5)

Imaj7( 5)

I 7

Fig. 1. Diatonic seventh chords in the key of C Note: Major 6 chords fulfill the same function as major 7 chords. Sometimes minor 6 chords can fulfill the same function as minor 7 chords.

Harmony and Progressions

In order to move smoothly from chord to chordto voice leadyou must know the rules that govern the behavior and relationship of individual notes and groups of notes (chords) in a chord progression. Chords and chord progressions help to establish tonal areas. In Western music, there are three tonal areas: tonic (T), subdominant (SD), and dominant (D). Each area is associated with a scale degree and the chord built upon that scale degree. Nearly every type of composition, from the simplest folk song to a Beethoven symphony, is based on movement between these tonal areas.

CMaj7

D7

E7

FMaj7

G7

A7

B7( 5)

IMaj7 T

II7 SD

III7 T

IVMaj7 SD

V7 D

VI7 T

VII7( 5) D

Fig. 2. Diatonic seventh chords and function in the key of C

CHAPTER 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

Chord Functions
Each chord has a distinct function within a chord progression, depending on its tonal area. The chords function determines its tendency to establish either motion or stability within a musical phrase, a song, or a larger composition. Chords that have similar function can substitute for each other. Tonic: In a major key, the tonic area includes chords built upon scale degrees 1, 3, and 6. In major, IMaj7 is the defining sound of the tonic area. In melodic and harmonic minor, I(Maj7) is the defining sound. Tonic chords have a resting or stable function. Tonic-area seventh chords can substitute for each other because they all share three common tones and have the same harmonic function. Subdominant: The subdominant area includes seventh chords built upon scale degrees 2, 4, and 6. Chords built on scale degree 4 are the defining sound of the subdominant area. Subdominant chords impart a moderate sense of forward motion in a progression. In major, both II7 and VI7 can be substituted for IVMaj7 because they share several common tones and the same harmonic function. In melodic minor and Dorian, IV7 can be replaced by II7 or VI7(%5). In harmonic minor, IV7 can be substituted by II7(%5) or %VIMaj7. Dominant: The dominant area includes chords built on scale degrees 5 and 7. The V7 chord is the defining sound of the dominant area. Dominant chords tend to sound unresolved because of the tritone interval between chord tones 3 and 7. They impart a strong sense of forward motion in a progression. Although less common, the VII7(%5) chord can be substituted for V7 in major and melodic minor, because the two chords share the same tritone and have the same harmonic function. In harmonic minor, VII7 can replace V7. Secondary Dominant: Every major key, melodic minor key, and harmonic minor key has a dominant. Additionally, every chord has its own dominant, which is the seventh chord located a fifth above it. It is referred to as a secondary dominant. (The only exception to this rule is the diminished chord, which has no dominant.) Secondary dominants can help smooth out voice leading between chords and add new dimension and color to every key by introducing notes that are not in the key.

Voice Leading in Action: Simple Chord Families on the Guitar Neck

The term voice leading refers to the way in which individual voices move from chord to chord. The best voice leading occurs when all individual voices move smoothly. You can achieve this by moving between chords using the same note or moving up or down by a step in the inner voices of the chord, whenever possible. Read and play through this simple voiceleading exercise. Chords are voice led so that only one voice moves at a time. Note how the stepwise motion between the chords illustrates how closely the chords are related. These chord families form the backbone of comping using standard four-part harmony. Practice this exercise chromatically, in all twelve keys.
G 1.
2 3 4 1

GMaj7
2 4 3 1 3 4 2 1

G7

G6
3 4 1 2

G( 6)
3 4 1 2 3 4 0 2

G 2.
3 2 4 1

G(Maj7)
3 2 4 1 3 3 3 2

G7

G6
4 3 1 2 4 3 1 2

G 6

G
4 3 0 2

G7 3.
3 4 2 1

G7( 13)
4 3 2 1

G7(13)
4 3 2 1

G7( 11)
1 4 3 2

G7 4.
3 3 3 2

G7( 5)
1 4 3 2

G7(11)
1 4 3 2 1 3 1 2

G 7

C7 5.
1 4 2 3

C7( 9)
1 3 1 2 4 3 1 2

C7(9)

C7( 9)
4 3 1 2 4 3 1 2

C7

C7sus4
1 4 3 2

C7sus4(9)
1 1 1 1

G 6.
3 3 3 1

GMaj7
4 2 3 1 4 1 3 1

G7
4 1 3 2

G6

G7sus4
4 1 3 1

CHAPTER 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

G 7.
2 4 3 1

G(Maj7)
3 2 4 1 2 1 3 1

G7
3 1 4 2

G6

G7( 5)
4 2 3 1 4 1 3 2

G 7

C7 8.
4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2

C7( 9)
3 1 4 2

C7(9)

C7( 5)
4 1 2 1

C7( 5,9) C7( 5, 9)

3 1 4 1 4 1 3 1

Fig. 3. Simple chord families

Voice Leading Chord Tones and Tensions

In the classical voice leading tradition, there are strict rules that govern how individual chord tones and tensions should move in a harmonic progression. Functional jazz harmony also follows these rules. In general, voice leading favors conservation of motion: chord progressions sound smoothest when each note in a chord moves in stepwise motion, or in short leaps of no more than a major third, to corresponding chord tones or tensions in the next chord.

Voice Leading Chord Tones

In a II7/V7/I progression, for example, the seventh of the II7 chord must resolve to the third of the V7 chord. Additionally, the third of the II7 chord must resolve to the seventh of the V7 chord.
D7
3 7

G7( 9)
7 3

CMaj7

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 4. Resolution of chord tones 3 and 7 in a II7/V7 progression When moving from V7 to I (major or minor) the seventh of the V7 chord resolves into the third of the I chord. Conversely, the third of the V7 chord resolves to the seventh of the I chord.
D7(9) G7(13)
3 7

CMaj7(9)

7 3

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 5. Resolution of chord tones 3 and 7 in a V7/I progression There is an important exception to the rule. When the third or the seventh in either of the first two chords in a II7/V7/I is doubled, only one of the doubled notes resolves to the target note (the third or the seventh of the chord).
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In the following example, the third of D7 is doubled. The first F does not move, and becomes the seventh of G7. The other F resolves downward to E, which is the thirteenth of G7.
D7
3 3

G7
13 7

11 13

CMaj7

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 6. Resolutions with doubled thirds

In fig. 7, the D7 spelled D, A, C, F, C would resolve to a G7 spelled G, D, F, B. You will notice that in the first chord, the seventh (C) is doubled. The upper C resolves to the third of G7, which is B. The lower C in D7, however, moves up a whole step to D, the fifth of G7.
D7
7 7

G7
3 5

CMaj7

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 7. Resolutions with doubled sevenths

These are not the only possibilities. The two examples below illustrate how doubled thirds resolve to doubled sevenths, and how doubled sevenths resolve to doubled thirds.
D7
3 3 7 7

G7

CMaj7
3 3

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 8. Resolutions with doubled thirds and sevenths

D7(11)
7 7

G7(13)
3 3

CMaj7(9)

II7

V7

IMaj7

Fig. 9. Resolutions with doubled sevenths

CHAPTER 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

Voice Leading Chord Tensions

As illustrated in fig. 3, jazz musicians will almost always add color to the basic chords by using tensionsninths, elevenths, and thirteenths placed above the basic seventh chord. Tensions are nonessential notes used to add color to a chord. These tensions are rarely indicated in most jazz charts, however. Each musician chooses which tensions to use, based on the musical context. Tensions, like chord tones, have very specific behaviors, as indicated in the following musical examples. The resolutions in the examples below are common in II7/V7/I progressions.
G7
9 13 9

CMaj7(9)
5

G7( 9)
9

CMaj7
5

Fig. 10. Tension 9 resolves to 5.

G7
9 9 13 11

C6(9)
6

G7( 9,13)
9

CMaj7
7

6 9

Fig. 11. Tension 9 can also resolve to 6(13) or 7.

G7
11 13

CMaj7(9)

G7( 11)

C7(9)

11

11

Fig. 12. Tension #11 resolves to 1.

G7
9 13

C7(9)
9

G7

9 13 13

CMaj7(9)
9

13

Fig. 13. Tension 13 resolves to 9.

G7
9 13

C6

G7

9 13 13

C7(13)
1

13 1

Fig. 14. Tension 13 can also resolve to 1.

G7sus4(9)
4/11

C6
1

G7sus4
4/11

C6(9)
1

Fig. 15. Suspended 4 or 11 resolves to 1.

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Whether a 13 goes to a 9 or %9 depends on the construction of the scale that the chord is built on. These scales are called chord scales. Some chord scales have %9 instead of 9, or %13 instead of 13, and so on. (Refer to the appendix for a discussion of chord scales and modes.) Note the resolutions of 9 and 13 in the chord progression below.
E Phrygian D Dorian E Phrygian D Dorian

E7(11)

A7

9 13

D7(9)

G7

9 13

E7

A7( 11)

D7

G7

11 13

III7

V7/II7

II7

V7

III7

V7/II7

II7

V7

Fig. 16. Resolutions of 13 and 9 vary according to chord scale.

Finding the Correct Chord Scale: A Guide

Choose tensions carefully. The quality of the tensions you choose must correspond to the appropriate chord scales and must be compatible with the chords harmonic function. Below is a list of chords and their corresponding chord scales and modes. (Refer to the appendix for more information on chord scales and modes.)

Chords IMaj7 (IVMaj7, IIMaj7, IIIMaj7, VIMaj7, and VIIMaj7 when preceded by their respective dominants) II7 ( II7, III7, IV7, IV7, and VII77 when preceded by their respective dominants) III7 IVMaj7, IIMaj7, IIIMaj7, VIMaj7, and VIIMaj7 (V7 in major), IV7, I7, IV7, II7, III7, VII7, VI7, II7, or any dominant resolving in major VI7 or IV7 VII7( 5), VI7( 5), or any half diminished chord Any minor chord with a major seventh and perfect fifth Any substitute dominant (SubV7) Any 7( 5) chord with a major 9

Chord Scale Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian Locrian Melodic Minor Lydian 7 Superlocrian

Any dominant (one of the three options for dominants of minor chords) Altered Any dominant (one of the three options for dominants of minor chords) Mixolydian 9 especially those resolving to minor chords Dominant of any chord with a major third Any diminished chord Whole Tone Diminished

Any dominant (one of the three options for dominants of minor chords) Symmetric Dominant can also be used for substitute dominants

This chart covers only the scales used most often in traditional functional harmony and improvisation in jazz. However, youll find many other scales being used extensively in modern tunes, such as modal music composed by Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and other contemporary musicians.
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CHAPTER 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

Other Smooth Moves: Parallel Movement

When a chord moves to another whose root is only a second or third away, all voices must move up or down stepwise or in thirds, respectively, to corresponding notes in the second chord: root moves to root, third to third, fifth to fifth, and so on. This is called parallel movement. It is a common means of leading voices and is the easiest one for a guitarist to performhowever, it can only be used when chords move stepwise or in thirds. (Youll see examples of parallel movement in I Should Have Thought About Me and in bars 56 of I Smell Catastrophe, both in chapter IV.) For instance, in measure 1 of the example below, chords move from CMaj7 spelled C, B, E, G to D7 in the key of C. D7 is spelled D, C, F, A. Note that all notes in D7 are located a (diatonic) second above those of CMaj7. Accordingly, if you had to move from CMaj7 spelled C, B, E, G to E7, you might spell E7 in this way: E, D, G, B. To summarize, thirds go to thirds, fifths to fifths or thirteenths, sevenths to sevenths, and tonics to tonics or ninths. To those of you who have already been initiated into the world of traditional harmony, this might sound like heresy. For us jazzers, however, it is the Holy Grail.

Parallel movement

CMaj7

D7

E7

D7

CMaj7

F7(9)

E7

A7( 9)

D7

G7(9)

E 7

A 7

D7

G7( 9)

CMaj7

G7sus4

Parallel movement

D7

E7

FMaj7

E7

Fig. 17. Chord resolutions

Drop-2 Voicings
The chord voicings you use can make an enormous difference in the quality of your voice leading. One of the most helpful voicings is the drop-2 voicing. Drop-2 voicings are chords played in close position, in which the alto (middle) voice is played one octave lower than the original alto, in close position. This lays well on the guitar fretboard and makes voice leading from one chord to the next easier. Drop-2 voicings are everywhere in jazz guitar voice leading.
close voicing drop-2 voicing

CMaj7

CMaj7

close voicing

drop-2 voicing

C7( 5)

C7( 5)

Fig. 18. Close and drop-2 chord voicings

The following drop-2 voicings are in the key of C. Learn and practice them in all twelve keys.
Starting on D string Key of G Ionian Major 7
2 2 3 1 4 1 3 2 3 3 3 1

2 2 3 1

1 1 1 1

4 1 3 1

Ionian 6
2 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 1 3 1

2 2 1 1

1 1 1 1

4 1 1 1

CHAPTER 1 Harmony Review and Introduction to Voice Leading

Mixolydian
1 1 2 1 2 4 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

2 2 2 1

4 2 2 1

2 1 1 1

2 1 3 1

Mixolydian Sus 4
1 1 3 1 1 4 3 1 4 1 3 1 3 3 3 1

4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

1 1 1 1

4 1 1 1

2 2 1 1

2 2 3 1

Lydian 7
3 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 2 4 3 1 4 1 3 2 4 1 2 1 3 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 2 2 1 4 2 3 1 4 1 3 2

3 1 4 2

2 4 3 1

2 2 2 1

4 2 2 1

3 2 4 1

2 1 3 1

Mixolydian 9/ 13
1 1 2 1 2 4 3 1 4 2 3 1 2 2 2 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 3 2 4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

4 1 2 1

2 1 1 1

4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

Altered
3 1 4 2 2 4 3 1 4 1 3 1 2 2 2 1 4 1 3 2 4 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 3 1

2 4 3 1

4 1 2 1

3 3 2 1

4 3 2 1

4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

Symmetric Dominant
3 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 2 4 3 1 4 1 3 2 4 2 3 1 3 4 2 1 4 1 3 2 4 1 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 4 2 3 1

1 1 2 1

2 4 3 1

4 1 2 1

3 4 2 1

4 1 2 1

4 3 2 1

4 3 2 1

4 2 3 1

4 2 3 1

10

Dorian Minor 7
1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 4 2 3 1

4 1 3 1

3 3 3 1

4 3 3 1

4 1 3 2

Dorian Minor 6
2 2 2 1 4 2 2 1 2 1 3 1

4 1 3 1

4 1 2 1

3 3 2 1

4 1 3 2

3 1 4 2

Melodic Minor
2 2 2 1 4 1 1 2 2 4 3 1

4 1 3 1

3 3 4 1

4 2 3 1

4 1 3 2

4 1 3 2

4 1 2 3

4 1 3 2

Locrian
4 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 4 2 2 1

2 1 3 1

4 1 3 1

4 1 2 1

3 3 2 1

Super Locrian
4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 4 2 2 1

2 1 3 1

2 4 3 1

4 1 3 1

4 3 3 1

4 1 2 1

3 3 2 1

3 1 4 1

3 3 4 1

Symmetric Diminished
4 2 3 1 3 4 2 1 4 1 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 2 3 1 3 4 2 1 4 1 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 2 3 1 3 4 2 1

4 1 2 1

4 3 2 1

4 2 3 1

3 4 2 1

4 1 2 1

4 3 2 1

Phrygian
1 1 1 1

2 2 3 1

4 2 3 1

4 1 3 1

4 1 3 2

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