One voice stays the same while the other moves describes which motion?

• A. Parallel motion
• B. Oblique motion
• C. Contrary motion
• D. Static motion

Answer: (B)

Oblique motion occurs when one voice stays on the same pitch while the other voice moves to new pitches. This creates a fixed line against a changing harmony, which is exactly what you see when one part is held while the other moves.

For example, if the soprano holds a C while the alto moves from E to F, the top voice remains static while the bottom voice moves—that’s oblique motion. This differs from parallel motion, where both voices move in the same direction, and from contrary motion, where they move in opposite directions. The term static motion isn’t typically used for this interaction.