Non-chord tones

Question 1

Passing tone

Answer 1

A passing tone is prepared by step and resolves by step in the same direction. (PT)

Question 2

Neighbor Tone

Answer 2

A neighbor tone is prepared by step and resolves by step in the opposite direction. (NT)

Question 3

Double Passing Tones

Answer 3

Double passing tones are two passing tones in a row. (DPT)

The first note is prepared by step, then the second passing tone continues in the same direction of the first, also by step, and is then resolved by a chord tone also continuing in the same direction and by step.

Double passing tones may begin on or off the beat, within the same chord, over a chord change.

Question 4

Double Neighbor Tones

Answer 4

The double neighbor tone figure is made up of four notes: the note of preparation followed by two non-chord tones and then the note of resolution. The note of resolution is the same note as the note of preparation. (DNT)

The first non-chord tone is prepared by step, then leap a third in the opposite direction for the second non-chord tone and then change direction and resolve by step to the original note.

Double neighbor tones are also called neighbor group tones and changing tones.

Question 5

Suspension

Answer 5

A suspension suspends a chord tone from the previous chord into the harmonic area of the new chord where the note does not belong. It becomes a suspension on a strong beat and resolves on a weaker beat, or it becomes a suspension on a stronger portion of a beat and resolves on a weaker portion of a beat. (sus)

Question 6

Retardation

Answer 6

As in the suspension, the retardation holds a note over a chord change so that it becomes a non-chord tone. However, rather than resolving down by step like the suspension, retardations resolve up by step to a consonant chord tone. (R)

Question 7

Anticipation

Answer 7

An anticipation moves by step to become a non-chord tone before the chord changes. Once the chord changes that same note is now a chord tone. (ant)

Question 8

Pedal Tone

Answer 8

A pedal tone begins as a chord tone, then the chord changes, once or more than once, and this same note is now a dissonance, a non-chord tone. Eventually the other voice changes to a chord including the same note, so now it is a chord tone again. (PedTn)

Question 9

Appoggiatura

Answer 9

An appoggiatura is prepared by leap and resolved by step in the opposite direction. It may be prepared and resolved within the same harmony or it can occur over a chord change. (App)

Hint: You may remember this one as “leap-step.”

Question 10

Escape Tone

Answer 10

An escape tone is prepared by step and resolved by leap in the opposite direction. (ET)

Hint: You may remember this one as “step-leap.”

Question 11

Cambiata

Answer 11

Prepare for the first note of the cambiata by step, then leap a third in the same direction to the second non-chord tone, and then resolve by step in the opposite direction of the leap. (C)