In tonal harmony, how do chords typically move from one to another?

In tonal harmony, how do chords typically move from one to another?

• A. A chain of triads, each pulling to the next.
• B. A drone bass with no chord changes
• C. A sequence of unrelated notes
• D. A repeating arpeggio of the tonic

Answer: (A)

Functional progression and smooth voice-leading connect chords in tonal harmony. Chords move by pulling to the next triad, with voices guiding the line so one harmony sets up the next and leading tones resolve toward the target. This creates a clear sense of direction and eventual resolution, typically moving through a chain of triads (like I moving toward IV or ii/V resolving to I) that establish and release harmonic tension. A drone bass with no chord changes would lack motion; a sequence of unrelated notes wouldn’t show functional connections; and a repeating arpeggio of the tonic wouldn’t establish a true harmonic progression.

Functional progression and smooth voice-leading connect chords in tonal harmony. Chords move by pulling to the next triad, with voices guiding the line so one harmony sets up the next and leading tones resolve toward the target. This creates a clear sense of direction and eventual resolution, typically moving through a chain of triads (like I moving toward IV or ii/V resolving to I) that establish and release harmonic tension. A drone bass with no chord changes would lack motion; a sequence of unrelated notes wouldn’t show functional connections; and a repeating arpeggio of the tonic wouldn’t establish a true harmonic progression.