Identifying Non-Chord Tones - Music Theory

Music Matters

3 Apr 202329:19

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn this educational video, music theory teacher Gareth Green explains the concept and purpose of non-chord tones, also called inessential notes in the UK. He provides musical examples to demonstrate how composers use dissonant non-chord tones like passing tones, neighbor tones, and auxiliary notes to embellish and bring interest to an otherwise boring chord progression. Green analyzes a short piano piece to identify essential chord tones versus nonessential embellishing tones, discussing how to determine chord functions and explain the musical effect of different types of non-chord tones.

Takeaways

😀 Non-chord tones (also called inessential notes) embellish music and make it more interesting
👂 They are notes that don't belong to the prevailing chord at a given point
🎹 Two common types are auxiliary/neighbor notes and passing/passing tones
🎼 Auxiliary notes move stepwise from and back to a chord tone
🎵 Passing tones pass diatonically between two chord tones
☝️ Identifying non-chord tones allows performers to better shape phrases
✍️ Composers can use them to make melodies flow better over chord progressions
⚠️ Sometimes a note could be interpreted as either a non-chord tone or a chord tone - context helps determine
🔂 Sequences reuse musical material by transposing it to a new pitch level
🤝 This example shows how non-chord tones can liven up an otherwise static chord progression

Q & A

What are some other names used for non-chord tones?
-Non-chord tones are also known as inessential notes, neighbour tones, or passing tones.
What is the purpose of using non-chord tones in music?
-Non-chord tones are used to embellish the music and make it more interesting. They add variety and movement to a melody built on just the chord tones.
What are the two main types of non-chord tones discussed?
-The two main types discussed are auxiliary notes (or neighbour tones) and passing notes (or passing tones).
How do you identify an auxiliary or neighbour tone?
-An auxiliary or neighbour tone is identified when a melody note moves up or down by step from a chord tone and then returns to that chord tone. For example, C up to D and back down to C over a C major chord.
What characterizes a passing tone?
-A passing tone passes by step between two chord tones, for example C to D to E when C and E belong to the chord but D does not.
What is meant by an accented passing tone?
-An accented passing tone occurs on a strong beat rather than between beats. It stands out more than an unaccented passing tone.
Why is harmonic rhythm discussed?
-The harmonic rhythm, or rate at which chords change, speeds up through the musical example. This adds harmonic interest and momentum.
What creates ambiguity in identifying the chords?
-At times a chord could be interpreted in more than one way, such as V or III in first inversion. The context points to V as part of an authentic cadence.
How can you use this concept when playing music?
-When playing music, identify which notes belong to the chord and which are non-chord tones in order to shape phrases effectively.
How can you use this when composing music?
-Balance the use of chord tones and non-chord tones to create smooth, interesting melodic lines over the chord progressions.

Outlines

00:00

😐 Introducing the concept of non-chord tones

The first paragraph is an introduction to the concept of non-chord tones aka inessential notes. It explains that these are notes that are used to embellish a piece of music but do not belong to the chords sounding at that point. The paragraph outlines why it's useful for composers and musicians to understand non-chord tones.

05:04

😐 Explaining auxiliary/neighbour tones and passing tones

The second paragraph explains the two types of non-chord tones used in the example - auxiliary/neighbour tones and passing tones/notes. It provides a clear definition of each with musical examples.

10:05

😐 Identifying non-chord tones in bars 1-4

The third paragraph analyzes bars 1-4 of the musical example, identifying all non-chord tones and explaining why each one functions as such. It highlights occurrences of double auxiliary/passing tones in both hands.

15:07

😐 Analyzing bars 5-8 for non-chord tones

The fourth paragraph continues analyzing bars 5-8, including a sequence and modulation to the dominant key. It identifies non-chord tones and discusses ambiguities and cadential function.

20:09

😐 Clarifying key points on non-chord tone usage

The fifth paragraph reiterates and clarifies some key points regarding the musical function and notation of non-chord tones, including accented vs unaccented passing tones.

25:10

😐 Conclusion and final thoughts

The final paragraph concludes with some final thoughts on applying non-chord tones when playing/composing music and promotes some online music courses.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡non-chord tones

Also called 'inessential notes', these are notes used to embellish the music that do not belong to the chords sounding at any given point. They make the music more interesting compared to just going from chord to chord. Examples are used throughout the transcript, like the F in bar 1 that is an upper neighbour tone.

💡embellish

To add notes to a melody or musical passage to make it more elaborate, virtuosic, or interesting. Non-chord tones are used to embellish the music and add interest rather than just playing the chord tones.

💡neighbour tone

Also called an 'auxiliary note'. This is one type of non-chord tone that involves playing a note next to a chord tone, then returning to that chord tone. For example playing C B C over a C major chord - the B is the lower neighbour tone.

💡passing tone

Another type of non-chord tone that involves playing a note between two chord tones, approached and left by step. For example in a C chord, playing C D E has D as a passing tone between the chord tones C and E.

💡harmonic rhythm

The rate at which chords change in a piece of music. The teacher points out that the harmonic rhythm speeds up through the example piece, with more chord changes packed into each bar later on.

💡sequence

A musical pattern or passage that is repeated at a higher or lower pitch. Identifying sequences helps predict upcoming non-chord tones. The teacher points out an example sequence in bars 2-3.

💡cadence

The ending of a musical phrase, often with a strong-weak chord progression like V-I. Cadences help determine ambiguous chords, like whether a chord should be labeled as III or V based on its role in the cadence.

💡accented

Refers to a non-chord tone occurring on a strong beat rather than between beats. Accented passing tones feel stronger. There is an example of an accented passing tone on the downbeat of bar 7.

💡chord tone

The notes that belong to the sounding chord at any given point. Also called essential or harmony notes. Understanding the chord tones allows you to determine which notes are non-chord tones.

💡ambiguity

Points where there could be more than one musical analysis or interpretation. The teacher highlights ambiguities, like whether a chord should be labelled III or V, to teach about multiple perspectives.

Highlights

Non-chord tones, also called inessential notes, embellish music and make it more interesting.

Non-chord tones include auxiliary notes (neighbor tones) that briefly move to an adjacent note, and passing tones that pass stepwise between two harmony notes.

Double passing tones happen when both hands use passing tones simultaneously, creating richer harmony.

Sequences reuse melodic/harmonic patterns at different pitch levels to build coherence.

Pay attention to chord changes - a note may functionally change from chord tone to non-chord tone.

Accented passing tones land on beats, feeling stronger than unaccented ones between beats.

Harmonically ambiguous situations arise with passages that could fit multiple chord labels.

Cadences influence chord analysis - some progressions are more idiomatic at phrase endings.

Vary density of chord tones versus non-chord tones to control harmonic richness and melodic interest.

Non-chord tones integrate melody with harmony to generate music that flows.

Identifying chord tones versus non-chord tones impacts phrasing and expression when performing.

Balance essential chord tones with embellishing non-chord tones when composing.

Passing tones can connect harmony notes even when the chord changes underneath.

Circled notes visually indicate non-chord tones amidst chord tones in the score.

Harmonic rhythm (frequency of chord changes) varies - more changes heighten musical activity.

Transcripts

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