Theory I · Guided
Part-writing trainer
Resolve the inner voices one chord at a time. Soprano and bass are given; the coach walks you through each chord.
Chord 2 of 4
Place the alto & tenor for the highlighted chord. Given: soprano + bass. Progression in C major: I – ii⁶₅ – V – I.
Click the treble staff for the alto and the bass staff for the tenor; pick the voice with the pills under the staff.
Coaching ii⁶₅
based on the previous chord & voice-leading
Suggested voicing
ii⁶₅ — the bass takes the chord’s 3rd (F). Hold any common tone, and step the upper voices smoothly to the nearest chord tones.
Why
Resolve tendency tones first: the leading tone (3rd of V) goes up by step to the tonic; the chordal seventh goes down by step. Build the rest of the voicing around these forced moves — they pin the inner voices.
Watch for
Caution. The 7th of a chord must resolve down by step into the next chord.