Non-Chord Tones Lecture Notes

Introduction to Non-Chord Tones

• Non-chord tones are notes that do not belong to the underlying chord.
• They are used to create dissonance and tension, which are resolved when the tone moves to a chord tone.
• Understanding non-chord tones is crucial for melodic and harmonic analysis.

Types of Non-Chord Tones

1. Passing Tones

• Occur between two chord tones, usually stepwise.
• Serve to connect the chord tones smoothly.

2. Neighbor Tones

• Occur between two identical chord tones.
• Move stepwise away from and back to the original note.

3. Appoggiatura

• Approached by leap and resolved by step, usually in the opposite direction.
• Emphasized by being on a strong beat.

4. Escape Tone

• Approached by step and resolved by leap, opposite of appoggiatura.
• Often occur on weak beats.

5. Double Neighbor

• Consists of two neighbor tones surrounding a central chord tone.
• Moves from the chord tone to the upper or lower neighbor and then to the opposite neighbor before returning to the chord tone.

6. Anticipation

• Occurs when a note is played before the chord it belongs to.
• Typically resolves by sustaining or repeating the note when the chord changes.

7. Pedal Point

• A sustained note, typically in the bass, over which the harmony changes.
• It is both a chord tone and non-chord tone as the harmony progresses and then resolves.

8. Suspension

• A note from the previous chord is held over, creating a dissonance with the current chord.
• Resolves downwards by step to a chord tone.

9. Retardation

• Similar to a suspension but resolves upwards.

10. Incomplete Neighbor

• Similar to a neighbor tone, but either the approach or resolution is missing.

Practice Exercises

• Includes exercises to identify and apply the different types of non-chord tones.

These notes provide an overview of non-chord tones and their application in music theory. For more detailed study and examples, refer to the full content available in the linked sections.