Embellishing Tones: Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones

Definition

Embellishing tones are non-chord tones that decorate or embellish a melody, enhancing its expressiveness and complexity. Within this category, passing tones connect two chord tones by stepping between them, while neighbor tones move away from a chord tone to an adjacent note and then return. Both types of embellishing tones play a crucial role in creating smooth melodic lines and can add interest to harmonies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Passing tones typically occur on weak beats and create a stepwise motion between two chord tones, enriching melodic lines.
2. Neighbor tones can be approached by step from a chord tone, move to an adjacent note, and then return to the original chord tone, adding a decorative quality to melodies.
3. Both passing tones and neighbor tones are considered non-harmonic or non-chord tones since they do not fit within the current harmony but serve to embellish it.
4. Embellishing tones should always resolve back to a chord tone, maintaining the sense of tension and release in music.
5. The use of passing and neighbor tones is essential for composers and songwriters to create melodic interest and prevent monotony in musical phrases.

Review Questions

• How do passing tones enhance melodic movement in music, and what is their relationship with chord tones?
  • Passing tones enhance melodic movement by connecting two chord tones through stepwise motion. They typically occur on weak beats and create a smoother transition between notes, enriching the melody. By filling the space between two chord tones, passing tones contribute to the overall fluidity of the melodic line, making it more engaging and dynamic.
• Discuss the differences between passing tones and neighbor tones, particularly in their function within a melody.
  • Passing tones differ from neighbor tones in their motion and placement within a melody. Passing tones connect two chord tones by stepping up or down between them, usually occurring on weak beats. In contrast, neighbor tones move away from a chord tone to an adjacent note and then return, creating a decorative effect. While both types of embellishing tones enhance melodies, their distinct functions contribute differently to the overall structure of musical phrases.
• Evaluate the importance of embellishing tones in the context of melodic development and harmonic progression.
  • Embellishing tones are crucial for melodic development as they introduce complexity and color to musical lines. They allow composers to explore harmonic progressions by adding tension that resolves back to chord tones, thereby enhancing emotional expression. The use of passing and neighbor tones not only maintains listener interest but also aids in smooth transitions between harmonies, making them essential tools for effective songwriting and composition.

Related terms

Chord Tone: A note that is part of the underlying harmony, serving as the foundation for chords.

Non-Chord Tone:

A note that does not belong to the chord currently being played, creating tension that is usually resolved back to a chord tone.

Suspension:

A specific type of non-chord tone where a note from a previous chord is held over into the next chord, creating tension until it resolves down to a chord tone.