Keep common tones
If two chords share a note, holding it in the same voice creates continuity and reduces unnecessary motion.
Voice Leading Calculator
Enter a progression and calculate playable voicings with minimal motion between chords. Switch between SATB and Keyboard ranges, hear the exact optimized notes, then inspect, copy, or share every voice movement.
Input format: separate chords with spaces, commas, bars, or new lines (example: Cmaj7 | Am7 Dm7 G7).
Optimized Voicings
Click chord labels to inspect their notes, or audition the exact optimized registers above.
Semitone Movement
Per-step movement by voice and total motion cost.
| Step | Transition | Voice Movement | Total |
|---|
How the Voice Leading Calculator Works
The calculator searches playable four-note voicings for every chord, then chooses the route with low total semitone motion and practical spacing.
Move by small intervals
Stepwise motion is usually smoother and easier to sing or play than repeated leaps across every voice.
Respect the instrument
SATB mode favors vocal ranges and tighter upper voices. Keyboard mode allows a wider bass-to-treble spread.
Voice Leading FAQ
What is voice leading? It is the path each individual note takes from one chord to the next. Smooth writing balances common tones, stepwise motion, spacing, and musical direction.
Does the lowest total always sound best? Not necessarily. Minimal movement is a useful baseline, but melody, register, doubling, contrary motion, and style can justify a larger move.
What is the difference between SATB and keyboard mode? SATB uses conventional bass, tenor, alto, and soprano ranges. Keyboard mode widens the available register and spacing for two-hand playing.