Nonchord Tones AP Music Theory Mr Silvagni Nonchord

Non-chord Tones AP Music Theory Mr. Silvagni

Non-chord tones • Non-chord tones (non-harmonic tones) are parts of a melody that are not part of the harmony • They can be found in any voice and are used to embellish the music • They may be accented (on a downbeat) or unaccented (on an upbeat) • Three parts: Preparation (note before), NCT, resolution (note after)

Passing Tones • Passing tone (PT) is approached and left by step in the same direction (i. e. C – D – E or E – D – C) – Can be accented or unaccented – Can be diatonic (part of the scale) or chromatic (non-diatonic, specifically in half steps [C – C# - D])

Neighbor Tones • Neighbor tone (NT) is approached by step and left by step back to the original note (i. e. C – B – C or C – D – C) – Can be accented or unaccented – Can be diatonic or chromatic (again specifically half step) – Incomplete neighbor or cambiata – approached by leap and resolved by step in opposite direction in “weak rhythmic position” – Neighbor group or changing tone – two consecutive NCTs above and below original note (i. e. C – D – B – C)

Other NCTs • Appoggiatura (App) – a specific incomplete neighbor that is approached by leap up and resolved by step down – It is only accented…may sound like a suspension • Escape tone or échappée (ET) – a specific incomplete neighbor that is approached by step and resolved by leap in the opposite direction – It is only unaccented • Anticipation (Ant) – approached by step and resolved with the same note – The Ant. must not be part of the previous chord but must be part of the next chord – It is only unaccented

Suspensions and Retardations • Suspension (Sus) – approached by the same note and resolves by step down – A note in the preparation chord is held over and becomes a NCT, which is then resolved by step into a chord tone – Suspensions are labeled by their intervallic relationship from the bass note (i. e. 9 -8, 7 -6, 4 -3) – They may be connected by a tie…if not, they are rearticulated suspensions • Retardation (Ret) – approached by same note and resolves by step up – Not very common, suspension with upward resolution