Stimmführung

voice leading

noun SHTIM-fueh-rung Rare

Also means

the smooth progression of each individual voice in a harmonic texture

Usage Note

Stimmführung is the craft of moving each part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) smoothly from chord to chord, avoiding parallel fifths and octaves. It is central to four-part Harmonielehre writing exercises.

Examples

"Die elegante Stimmführung in Bachs Chorälen ist bis heute ein Vorbild."

Natural Translation

The elegant voice leading in Bach's chorales is a model to this day.

Literal Translation

The elegant voice-leading in Bach's chorales is to-this-day a model.

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