18th-century voice leading conventions

Definition

18th-century voice leading conventions refer to specific rules and guidelines followed during this time period regarding how individual melodic lines move in relation to each other, creating smooth and harmonically pleasing progressions.

Related terms

Parallel Motion: When two or more voices move in the same direction maintaining an intervallic relationship.

Contrary Motion: When two or more voices move in opposite directions.

Oblique Motion: When one voice stays on the same pitch while another voice moves up or down.