Oblique motion
Oblique motion means: one of two voices stays on the same note while the other moves. Alongside contrary motion and similar motion it is the third basic kind of voice leading and counts as especially calm.
- Latin
- motus obliquus
- Meaning
- one voice stays, the other moves
- Counterparts
- contrary motion, similar motion
- Effect
- calm, connects chords through a common note
One stays, one moves
Of the three basic kinds of voice leading, oblique motion is the calmest, for only one voice changes. The Latin “motus obliquus” means “slanting” motion. In the example a C lies on top while different notes follow one another below.
Upper voice stays, lower goes
The upper voice stays on C, the lower rises C–D–E–G. The distance changes from the octave via the seventh and sixth to the fourth. Only one voice moves, every change is oblique motion.
What it is for
In chord sequences many textbooks keep common notes between two chords in place, so that the other voices have only short distances to travel. That gives oblique motion. It is also a safe way of avoiding parallel fifths: if one voice stays put, no parallel can arise between the two. An extreme case is the drone, a constantly held note over which the other voice moves.
Oblique motion can also be shown with chords: from C major to Am, C and E stay in place, only G goes to A. The transitions between the diatonic chords on the page Cadences often use this.
Common mistakes
- Equating repeated notes with oblique motion: what is meant is that one voice stays while the other goes.
- Thinking it rare: it is very frequent in chord connections.
- Confusing it with contrary motion: there both voices move.
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Related terms
Contrary motionSimilar motionParallel motionParallel fifthsCounterpointChordDrone
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
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