leading tone

• In der Musiktheorie die siebte Stufe einer diatonischen Tonleiter, die eine starke Tendenz hat, sich aufwärts in die Tonika aufzulösen, wodurch harmonische Spannung und Entspannung entsteht.

In music theory, the seventh scale degree of a diatonic scale, which has a strong tendency to resolve upward to the tonic note, creating a sense of harmonic tension and resolution.

1. Seventh scale degreeC1formal

   The seventh note of a diatonic scale, which has a strong tendency to resolve upward to the tonic.

   Leitton

   • In the key of C major, the leading tone is B.
   • The leading tone creates a sense of harmonic tension.
   • A composer often uses the leading tone to build anticipation before the final chord.