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The problem it solves
When you change chord, moving every voice at once makes the change sound abrupt and choppy. Knowing which notes the two chords share lets you hold them still and connect the harmonies smoothly.
Detailed theory
Key idea
A common tone is a note that appears in both consecutive chords.
Keeping the common tone in the same voice (without moving it) is the first step of smooth voice leading.
Understand it
Two chords in a row often share one or more notes. That shared note is called a common tone, and it's the key to chaining chords without the change feeling jarring.
In C major it is easy to see: C major (C-E-G) and A minor (A-C-E) share two notes, C and E. C major and F major (F-A-C) share the C. C major and G major (G-B-D) share the G. The more common tones two chords have, the closer they sound.
The trick of voice leading is this: when you move from one chord to the other, leave the common tone still in the same voice and move only the other notes, always to the nearest place. That way each voice takes the shortest path and the ear hears continuity instead of a leap.
Picture two circles that overlap a little, like in a diagram: the common tones are the ones that fall in the middle, the part they share. That shared zone is the anchor you hold with one hand while the rest moves with the other.
Spotting common tones is the first step of all smooth voice leading: before deciding how to move the voices, look at what the two chords share and pin it down.
Staff & keyboard
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C major and F major share the C: it is the common tone between the two chords. Keeping it fixed links the two harmonies.
How to recognise it
How it's written
Write the two chords side by side and look for which notes repeat: those are the common tones. On the staff, the common tone stays on the same line or space while the other voices shift.
How it feels
Play the two chords first moving every note, then keeping the common tone fixed: you will notice the second version sounds much more connected, as if the two chords were shaking hands.
Common mistake
Jumping between chord positions moving every note at once, without looking for what the two chords share.
Moving the common tone to another voice instead of leaving it still: the link loses the smoothness the common tone could give.
Try it
Play C major and then A minor keeping C and E still in the same voice; move only the G down to the neighbouring A.
Find the common tone between C major and F major (it is the C) and leave it fixed while E and G move to the nearest place.
On the instrument
Chord progression
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C major → A minor: they share C and E (the common tones). Keeping them still, you only need to move the G down to the A. Listen to how smooth the link sounds.
Voice motion
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I–vi–IV on the keyboard: C and E are the common tones that recur across the three chords (C-E-G → A-C-E → F-A-C). The highlight keeps the held notes visible while the rest shifts little.
Where it's used
- Chaining chords smoothly
- Keeping the common tones fixed so progressions sound connected and singable.
- Seeing which chords are neighbours
- Counting the notes two chords share to know how close they sound.
- Preparing voice leading
- Pinning the common tone before moving the rest of the voices to the nearest place.
Examples
Chord progression
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C major → G major: the common tone is the G. Keeping it fixed, the link between tonic and dominant connects smoothly.
Mini test
Check that you've got it.
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What is a common tone?