Voice Leading the <span class="process-math">$\left.\text{V}^{7}\right.$</span> to <span class="process-math">$\left.\text{I}\right.$</span> Progression

Section 27.3 Voice Leading the $V^{7}$ to $I$ Progression

In voice leading the

V^{7}

I

progression in four parts, one must deliberately choose one of the following methods:

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“Strict” resolution:
1. 🔗
  Complete $V^{7}$ to incomplete I: resolve $\hat{7}$ up and $\hat{4}$ and $\hat{2}$ down. This means resolving the 3rd of the $V^{7}$ chord ( $\hat{7}$ ) up and the 7th and 5th of the $V^{7}$ chord down. For the sake of consistency in terminology, the examples below label $\hat{7}$ , $\hat{2}$ , and the 7th of the chord. The incomplete I chord will have a tripled root and one 3rd.
2. 🔗
  Incomplete $V^{7}$ (no fifth) to complete I.
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“Free” resolution:
1. 🔗
  If $\hat{7}$ is not in the soprano part, you can resolve it down by the interval of a third to $\hat{5}$ .

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In piano music you will sometimes find “improper” resolution of the 7th of a chord because it fits the hand better. This should be considered an exception and will not be acceptable in voice leading exercises completed for this class.