Guide Tone VS Leading Tone

Hey Jazz Guy,

Whats the difference between a guide tone and a leading tone? –Unguided

Dear Unguided

A LEADING TONE is a half-step away from the tonic note in any key. This is more of a classical music term. For example in C Major the leading tone is B. In A minor, the leading tone is G#.

A GUIDE TONE is a jazzy term for the 3rd and 7th of a 7th chord. Like F and C for Dmin7. The note that give the chord it’s quality.

Good luck jazz guy!!