The L Transform
L on C, voice by voice: the chords it pairs, the voice that steps, the source's own words, and every chord each side spells.
On C, L (Leading-tone exchange) pairs C (C E G) with Em (E G B): 1 voice steps, 2 hold, and the lead costs 1 semitone.
| Voice | Becomes | Step |
|---|---|---|
| C | B | -1 |
| E | E | holds |
| G | G | holds |
What each side spells
- C: C
- Em: Em
As the source prints it
Leading-tone exchange relates a major triad and the minor triad a major third higher, such as C and Emi.
The Leading-Tone Exchange transformation (L) preserves the minor third in the triad and moves the remaining note by semitone.Its example:
C and Emi.
— Open Music Theory, 2nd edition, 5.14 Neo-Riemannian Triadic Progressions; Mark Gotham, Kyle Gullings, Chelsey Hamm, Bryn Hughes, Brian Jarvis, Megan Lavengood and John Peterson. The source, read 2026-10-25.
Rank every pairing of C and Em in the calculator · Every chord one voice from C