Passing Notes (Non-Harmonic Tones) - Music Theory

Music Matters
30 Nov 201703:34
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe script explains what passing notes are in music - notes that pass by step between two notes belonging to the current chord. Passing notes add melodic interest without changing the harmony. They can be unaccented between beats or accented on beats, the latter being stronger. Composers use unaccented passing notes to embellish melodies and accented passing notes on important words in songs to express them more poignantly.

Takeaways
  • πŸ˜€ Passing notes are notes that pass by step between two other notes that belong to the chord.
  • πŸ˜‡ Passing notes add melodic interest without changing the harmony.
  • 🎡 A passing note doesn't belong to the chord but connects two notes that do.
  • 🎼 Passing notes go by step between two chord tones.
  • 🎹 Unaccented passing notes come between beats.
  • 🎻 Accented passing notes come on the beat.
  • 🎀 Accented passing notes are stronger than unaccented passing notes.
  • 🎺 Use unaccented passing notes to embellish a melody.
  • πŸ₯ Use accented passing notes on important words in a song.
  • 🎷 Passing notes introduce non-chord tones in a logical way.
Q & A
  • What are passing notes in music?

    -Passing notes are notes that pass by step between two other notes that belong to the underlying chord. They add melodic interest without departing too much from the harmony.

  • Why might a musician use passing notes?

    -A musician might use passing notes to embellish a melody rather than have every melody note belong directly to the accompany chord. They can add melodic interest, such as florid bits in a melody, without disturbing the harmony too much.

  • What is the difference between accented and unaccented passing notes?

    -An accented passing note occurs on a beat, so is more prominent. An unaccented passing note occurs between beats, so is more passing.

  • Should all notes in a melody be passing notes?

    -No, some melody notes should belong to the chord and harmony. Using only passing notes would be tedious and lose harmonic direction.

  • When might a songwriter use an accented passing note?

    -A songwriter might use an accented passing note to bring out a particularly important or poignant word they want to express melodically.

  • What chord tones would commonly surround a passing note?

    -The chord tones surrounding a passing note usually belong to the underlying chord of the music at that point. For example, if the chord is C major, common tones would be C, E or G.

  • Can a passing note belong to the underlying chord?

    -No, a true passing note does not belong directly to the chord. It passes between chord tones.

  • Can passing notes move by leap or only by step?

    -Passing notes should move by step between the two chord tones, rather than by a leap.

  • Are passing notes used in classical music?

    -Yes, passing notes are an important melodic technique used extensively in classical music over the centuries, as well as modern popular styles.

  • What instrument is used to demonstrate the passing notes in the video?

    -The instrument used to demonstrate is a piano. The piano helps clearly define the harmonic framework and allows the passing notes to be heard against the chord tones.

Outlines
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🎡 What Are Passing Notes in Music

Paragraph 1 explains what passing notes in music are. They are notes in a melody that don't belong to the underlying chord but pass by step between two notes that do belong to the chord. This adds melodic interest. Unaccented passing notes come between beats while accented ones fall on the beat and are stronger.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘passing note
A passing note is a non-harmonic note that connects two harmonic notes in a melody. It passes by step between two notes of a chord. In the video, passing notes are used to add melodic interest and embellishment to a melody, making it less monotonous.
πŸ’‘chord
A chord is a group of notes that sound harmonious together when played simultaneously. The video explains that notes in a melody often belong to or fit with the underlying chord being played. For example, a C note fits with a C major chord.
πŸ’‘melody
A melody is a sequence of single notes that forms the main tune or theme in a piece of music. The video discusses techniques for embellishing and enhancing melodies using non-chord passing notes and other methods.
πŸ’‘accented passing note
An accented passing note is a passing note that falls on a strong beat in the music. As explained in the video, accented passing notes stand out more than unaccented ones and can be used to emphasize important words in a song.
πŸ’‘unaccented passing note
An unaccented passing note falls between beats rather than on a strong beat. As the video describes, unaccented passing notes tend to be less prominent and can be used to gently embellish a melody.
πŸ’‘embellishment
Embellishment refers to the addition of extra melodic notes and flourishes to enhance a melody. The video suggests using passing notes as a form of embellishment to add interest to simple melodies.
πŸ’‘step
In music, a step refers to the interval between two adjacent notes in a scale. Passing notes must move by step between two chord tones, rather than by a leap.
πŸ’‘harmonic
A harmonic note belongs to the underlying chord or harmony being played. Passing notes are non-harmonic because they do not belong directly to the chord.
πŸ’‘florid
A florid melody contains many fast notes and embellishments. The video suggests using unaccented passing notes to make a melody more florid.
πŸ’‘poignant
A poignant melody evokes sadness or other deep emotions. The video recommends using accented passing notes to highlight poignant words in a song lyric.
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Transcripts
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