Non-Chord Tones
A non-chord tone is a melody note that does not belong to the harmony sounding at that moment. Identify it by asking how it arrives, where it falls in the metre and how it leaves.
- 3 questions
- 7 common types
- tension explained through motion
Where you run into this
- Classical
- Jazz
- Pop
- Choral music
Ask three questions
1. Does the note arrive by step, leap or preparation from the previous harmony?
2. Does it occur on a strong or weak part of the beat?
3. Does it leave by step or leap, and in which direction?
The same pitch can receive a different label when its route or metric position changes.
The main types
| Type | Approach | Departure | Typical placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| passing tone | step | step, same direction | often weak |
| neighbor tone | step | step, opposite direction | often weak |
| suspension | same note held | step down | strong |
| retardation | same note held | step up | strong |
| anticipation | step or leap | same pitch repeated in next chord | often weak |
| appoggiatura | leap | step, usually opposite | strong |
| escape tone | step | leap, opposite direction | often weak |
These are descriptions of voice leading. They do not prescribe one emotional meaning.
Passing and neighbor tones
Over C major, connect C and E with D: C-D-E. D is a passing tone because it fills the stepwise route between two chord tones.
Now play E-F-E over C major. F is an upper neighbor because it steps away from E and returns to E.
Move either D or F onto a strong beat and hold it longer. The dissonance becomes more prominent even though the pitch sequence remains similar.
Suspensions need preparation
A suspension has three stages:
- preparation: the note is consonant in the first chord
- suspension: the harmony changes while the note stays
- resolution: the held note moves by step, traditionally downward
Hold C while the bass changes from F to G. C belongs to F major, then becomes a fourth above G. Resolve C to B and the G harmony becomes clearer.
A sus4 chord symbol describes a chord structure. A suspension describes motion across time. Gsus4 can appear without a prepared C, while a true suspension must be tied or repeated from the previous harmony.
Appoggiatura and escape tone
An appoggiatura leaps into a non-chord tone on a strong beat and resolves by step. Its accented arrival makes the dissonance structural.
An escape tone does the reverse: it approaches by step, usually on a weak position, then leaps away. Write E-F-C over C major to hear F leave by leap.
Analyze before naming
Mark the chord tones first. Then circle every remaining melody note and draw arrows showing its approach and departure.
Do not classify a note from the scale alone. D belongs to C major, yet it is still a non-chord tone over a plain C triad unless the harmony treats it as an added ninth.
Decorate one arpeggio
- Write C-E-G-Eone chord tone per beat over C major.
- Add passing Dplace it between C and E.
- Add neighbor Fuse E-F-E.
- Tie G across an F-to-C changeidentify its role in both chords.
- Remove every decorationcompare contour and rhythm with the original.
Keep going
Everything in melody and form
- Writing a Melody
- Motifs and Phrasing
- Melody and Harmony
- Non-Chord Tones