MUSIC THEORY

Mod 27

• Subject of the Day:  Non-chord Tones II
• Reading Assignment: Text; pp. 183-191 (Chapter 12)
• Written Assignment:  Workbook; pp. 93-94
• Semester Schedule

Remember:  An accented non-chord tone is one which occurs on the beat; unaccented NCT's occur between the beats.

Appoggiatura (app)

This is the first non-chord tone (in our study) which is not approached and left smoothly.  The appoggiatura is usually approached by ascending leap.  The metric position of this NCT is accented.  The dissonance is resolved by descending step.  It could be perceived as an unprepared suspension.

This non-chord tone is approached by step in an unaccented position and left by leap in the opposite direction.

This is a combination figure.  It starts out like a neighboring tone (approached by step) but instead of coming back to the starting note, it leaps (escape tone) beyond the resolution note (like an unaccented appoggiatura) and resolves by step in the opposite direction.

Anticipation (ant)

This is approached by step, is unaccented, and resolves as the same note (anticipating the following chord).  The anticipation normally appears in the soprano, often at the cadence.

Click on the music to hear the anticipation

Pedal Point (pp)

One note (usually tonic or dominant) is held in the bass while harmonies change above it.  It usually begins as a chord tone, remains while chords change above it, and finishes as a chord tone.

Click on the music to hear the pedal point

Click here for an overview of the most commonly used non-chord tones.

If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu.