Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices

A note that steps away from a chord tone and returns to it.

A note that connects two chord tones by step.

A chord tone that arrives early, before the beat.

A sustained note, usually in the bass, while harmonies change above it.

An accented passing tone always resolves upward, while an unaccented passing tone resolves downward.

An accented passing tone occurs on a stronger beat, while an unaccented passing tone occurs on a weaker beat.

An accented passing tone is approached by a leap, while an unaccented passing tone is approached by step.

There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable.

Passing and neighbor tones should always be avoided in the soprano line.

Passing and neighbor tones are typically unaccented in the soprano line to maintain a smooth melodic flow.

Passing and neighbor tones should only be used in the bass line to create dissonance.

Passing and neighbor tones should always create parallel motion between the bass and soprano lines.

A chord tone that arrives early, creating a sense of anticipation for the upcoming chord change.

A note that steps away from a chord tone and then leaps away, adding surprise and melodic interest.

A grace note played before a chord tone, creating a dissonance that resolves to the chord tone.

A sustained note, usually in the bass, while harmonies change above it, creating tension and continuity.

Escape tones resolve by step, while appoggiaturas resolve by leap.

Escape tones are always accented, while appoggiaturas are always unaccented.

Escape tones step away from a chord tone and then leap away, while appoggiaturas are grace notes played before a chord tone, creating dissonance.

Escape tones are always in the bass line, while appoggiaturas are always in the soprano line.

They create a smooth transition between two chord tones.

They add ornamentation and decoration to a melody.

They create tension and a sense of continuity by sustaining a note while harmonies change above it.

They resolve upward by step.

A chord tone that is held over from a previous chord and resolves upward by step.

A chord tone that arrives early before the beat.

A chord tone that is held over from a previous chord and resolves downward by step.

A note that steps away from a chord tone and then leaps away.

2-3

5-6

4-3

8-9

Suspensions usually resolve up, while retardations resolve down.

Both suspensions and retardations resolve downwards.

Suspensions usually resolve down, while retardations resolve up.

Both suspensions and retardations resolve upwards.

A long, complex melody that forms the basis of a symphony.

A short musical idea that is repeated or varied throughout a piece.

A chord progression that always moves in a circle of fifths.

A type of musical form that consists of exposition, development, and recapitulation.