Leading tone

Leading tone
Leading note

Definition of the Leading Tone (Leading note )

The leading tone (leading note ) (also called subsemitone) refers to the seventh scale degree (VII) only when the distance between it and the next tonic is a single semitone.

If there is more than a half step (semitone ) between the seventh degree (VII) and the tonic (I), the seventh degree is called a subtonic.

The leading tone (leading note ) is a seventh major upper the tonic or a half step (semitone ) below the tonic.

Example of leading tones (leading notes )

Below are some examples of leading tones (leading notes ), and there is always a half step (semitone ) between the degree VII and the next degree I.

You can find the leading tone in Major scales or in minor harmonic scales.

Leading tone in C major scale:


Leading tone in B flat major scale:


Leading tone in A minor harmonic scale:

Example of subtonics

Below are some examples of subtonics, and there is not a half step (semitone ) between the degree VII and the next degree I.

Subtonic in C minor natural scale:


Subtonic in A minor natural scale:

Resolving leading tone

In tonal music, most of the time, the leading tone resolves to the tonic. Below is an example: