1. The main idea
Voice leading means connecting chords by moving each note, or voice, in a clear and natural way. Instead of jumping every chord into a new hand position, good voice leading keeps common tones, uses small steps, and resolves tension carefully.
2. Smooth motion
The smoothest chord changes often keep one or more notes the same and move the other notes by step. For example, moving from C major to G major can keep G as a common tone while E moves to D and C moves to B.
3. Tendency tones
A tendency tone is a note that strongly wants to resolve. In tonal music, the leading tone wants to move up to tonic. In a dominant seventh chord, the seventh of the chord usually resolves downward by step.
4. Common tones and contrary motion
Common tones make chord changes sound connected. Contrary motion, where voices move in opposite directions, often creates independence and balance. Parallel motion can be useful, but too much of it can make lines sound less independent in classical part-writing.
5. Applying voice leading to piano
When practicing chords, do not always jump to root position. Try moving to the nearest version of the next chord. This improves smoothness, speed, and musical sound. It also makes accompaniment patterns easier.