Non Chord Tones - Nonharmonic Tones VPAA Theory Non Chord Tones - Nonharmonic Tones

Basic Terms To Know Step – Motion in one voice of a second. Skip – Motion in one voice that moves in a 3rd Leap – Motion in one voice that moves in a 4th or more

Nonharmonic Tones Nonharmonic tones are pitches that sound along with a chord but are not chord pitches. Pitches are dissonant Occur in a pattern of three pitches: 1 Preceding tone (chord tone) - Approach 2 Nonharmonic tone (not a chord tone) 3 Following tone (chord tone) – Resolution/Departure

Nonharmonic Tones Passing Tone (PT) Neighboring Tone (NT) Escape Tone (ET) Anticipation (ANT) Suspension (SUS) Retardation (RE) Appoggiatura (APP) Changing Tone (CT) Pedal Tone (PED)

Unaccented NHT Unaccented nonharmonic tones are nonharmonic tones that occur off the beat or on the weak beat in a passage Consist of passing tone, neighboring tone, escape tone, and anticipation

Unaccented NHT Passing Tone Approach by a step, depart by a step in the same direction

Unaccented NHT Neighboring Tone Approach by a step, depart by a step in the opposite direction

Unaccented NHT Escape Tone Only occur as unaccented nht Approach by a step upward, depart by a skip down by a third

Unaccented NHT Anticipation Only occur as unaccented nht Approach by step, depart by the same tone

Accented NHT Accented nonharmonic tones are nonharmonic tones that occur on the beats Consist of passing tone, neighboring tone, suspension, retardation, and appoggiatura

Accented NHT Passing Tone Approach by a step, depart by a step in the same direction

Accented NHT Suspension One note carries over into the next chord, resolves downward Melodic pattern is always as follows: the preparation, the suspension, the resolution The suspended tone (the middle tone) is always dissonant Suspensions are designated numerically by the interval forming the suspended tone and resolution with the lowest sounding voice

Accented NHT Suspension

Accented NHT Retardation Similar to a suspension, except it resolves upward instead of downward

Accented NHT Appoggiatura Approach by a skip, depart by a step in the opposite direction

NHT with three or more pitches Successive passing tones Changing tones Pedal tone

NHT with three or more pitches Succesive passing tones Two passing tones occasionally fill in a fourth Can be accented, unaccented, or a combination of both

NHT with three or more pitches Changing tones Consist of two successive nht’s. Leads by a step from the chord tone, skips to another nht, and then leads by a step to a chord (often the same chord tone)

NHT with three or more pitches Pedal tone A held or repeated note Usually in the lowest voice Alternates between consonance and dissonance with the chord structures above it