Johtosävelestä

Johtosävelestä, meaning "leading tone" in Finnish, refers to the seventh scale degree in a diatonic musical scale. It is characterized by its strong tendency to resolve upwards by a half step to the tonic, the first scale degree. This inherent pull towards the tonic is a fundamental element in Western tonal music, contributing significantly to the sense of harmonic resolution and tonal center.

In major scales, the leading tone is the sixth note, and in natural minor scales, it is the seventh note. However, to create a stronger sense of leading to the tonic, the harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree by a half step, making it a leading tone with an augmented second interval between it and the sixth degree. This raised seventh is also commonly used in melodic minor scales in ascending passages.

The leading tone's function is crucial in establishing and reinforcing the key of a composition. Its proximity to the tonic and its characteristic half-step motion create a sense of inevitable arrival, providing a satisfying conclusion to melodic phrases and harmonic progressions. Composers utilize the leading tone to create tension and anticipation, guiding the listener's ear towards the tonic and shaping the overall musical structure. Its presence is a hallmark of tonal harmony, contributing to the expressive power and coherence of music.