music theory for musicians and normal people by toby w.

rush

Non-Harmonic Tones a non-harmonic tone is a note that

doesnt fit into a chord. we classify
non-harmonic tones by how they are
approached and resolved!
n n
tio h io
evia ac l ut s pl
e
e o o
br pr te am
nam ab ap res no ex

passing resolves by continuing in

pt step step the same direction as the
tone approach.

neighboring resolves by returning to

Nt step step the note preceding the
tone non-harmonic tone.

resolves in opposite
appoggiatura app leap step direction from approach.

resolves in opposite
Escape tone et step leap direction from approach.

changing two non-harmonic tones

ct any step on either side of the
tones note of resolution.

common a chord tone played

anticipation ant any before the rest of
tone the chord arrives.

common a note held over from

suspension sus step a previous chord and
tone resolved down.

common a note held over from

retardation ret step a previous chord and
tone resolved up.

common common a chord tone which

pedal tone ped temporarily becomes
tone tone a non-harmonic tone.

suspensions are typically further identified

by number. The first number represents the
interval between the note of suspension and
the bass. The second number represents the
interval between the note of resolution and
the bass.

the exception to this rule is the 2-3 or

bass suspension, where the numbers 7-6 2-3
represent the intervals between the bass sus (bass)
(where the suspension occurs) and sus
whichever voice has the note which is a
second (not counting octaves) above
4-3 9-8
the bass.
sus sus

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