Unit 6: Harmony and Voice Leading III — Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices

Non-Chord Tone

Notes that do not belong to the chord sounding at the moment, creating dissonance.

Dissonance

The tension created by non-chord tones that requires resolution to a chord tone.

Preparation

How the voice approaches a non-chord tone (step, leap, or same tone).

Resolution

How the voice leaves the non-chord tone (step, leap, or same tone).

Accented Non-Chord Tone

Occurs on a strong beat, creating a stronger dissonance.

Unaccented Non-Chord Tone

Occurs on a weak beat or part of a beat.

Passing Tone

Fills the space between two different chord tones that are a third apart.

Diatonic Passing Tone

Uses notes within the key signature for passing tones.

Chromatic Passing Tone

Uses accidentals to fill a whole step with semitones.

Neighbor Tone

Decorates a single chord tone by moving to an adjacent pitch and returning.

Upper Neighbor

Steps up from a chord tone and returns down to it.

Lower Neighbor

Steps down from a chord tone and returns up to it.

Suspension

Holds a note from the previous chord, creating dissonance on the beat.

Retardation

Similar to a suspension, but resolves upward.

Appoggiatura

An accented embellishment that lands on the beat, emphasizing dissonance.

Escape Tone

Occurs away from the beat, usually unaccented, going in the opposite direction.

Neighbor Group

A combination of two NCTs, one upper and one lower, surrounding a main chord tone.

Anticipation

A note arriving early that belongs to the next chord.

Pedal Point

A sustained note, usually in the bass, that sounds against changing harmonies.

Dominant Pedal

Sustains Scale Degree 5, leading to tension.

Tonic Pedal

Sustains Scale Degree 1, reinforcing finality.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls in understanding and labeling non-chord tones.

Parallel Intervals

The mistake of thinking NCTs can mask parallel 5ths or 8ths.

Mnemonic for Appoggiatura

A.L.S.: Appoggiatura (Leaps, then Steps).

2-3 Suspension Rule

Labeling dissonance based on the bass note, not the root of the chord.

Resolution Direction

Suspensions must resolve downward.