AP Music Theory: Non-Chord Tones & Embellishments - Your Ultimate Review 🚀

Hey there, future maestro! Let's dive into the world of non-chord tones and embellishments. This is your go-to guide for acing the AP Music Theory exam. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing but truly understanding these concepts. Let's get started!

1. Introduction to Embellishments and Non-Chord Tones

• Embellishments: Notes, ornaments, or figures added to a melody to enhance expression.
• Non-Chord Tones: Notes that don't belong to the current chord.
• They can be diatonic (within the key) or chromatic (outside the key).

2. Passing Tones

Passing tones are essential for creating smooth, stepwise motion in melodies and bass lines. They frequently appear in both MCQs and FRQs, so make sure you understand them well!

• Definition: A non-chord tone that connects two chord tones by step.
• Function: Creates a sense of movement and flow between chord tones.
• Voice Leading: Improves voice leading by ensuring stepwise motion.

Types of Passing Tones

• Diatonic Passing Tones: Within the key's scale.
  • Example: In C Major, moving from C to E, a passing tone could be D (C-D-E).
• Chromatic Passing Tones: Outside the key's scale.
  • Example: In C Major, moving from C to D, a chromatic passing tone could be C# (C-C#-D).
• Unaccented Passing Tones: Occur on weaker beats.
• Accented Passing Tones: Occur on stronger beats, disrupting the harmonic rhythm to create tension.

Passing Tone Example

3. Neighbor Tones

Neighbor tones are another key type of non-chord tone. They create melodic interest by stepping away from and then returning to a chord tone. Understanding upper and lower neighbors is crucial.

• Definition: A non-chord tone that steps away from a chord tone and then returns to it.
• Function: Adds ornamentation and a sense of anticipation or delay.
• Occurence: Typically used when a chord tone is sustained across two chords.

Types of Neighbor Tones

• Upper Neighbor Tone: Moves a step above the chord tone and returns.
  • Example: C-D-C
• Lower Neighbor Tone: Moves a step below the chord tone and returns.
  • Example: C-B-C
• Diatonic Neighbor Tones: Within the key's scale.
• Chromatic Neighbor Tones: Outside the key's scale.

Neighbor Tone Example

4. Preparation and Resolution

• Preparation: The chord tone that precedes a non-chord tone.
• Resolution: The chord tone that follows a non-chord tone.
• Dissonance: Non-chord tones, whether diatonic or chromatic, often create dissonance, which is then resolved by a consonant chord tone.

5. Ornamentation

• Definition: The addition of decorations to a melody or harmony.
• Purpose: Adds complexity, interest, expression, and emphasis.
• Types: Grace notes, trills, mordents, turns, vibrato, slides, etc.

Trills

• Definition: Rapid alternation between two notes (main note and note above or below).
• Notation: Often indicated by "tr" or "trill" symbol.
• Effect: Adds virtuosity, excitement, or drama.

Trill Example

6. Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics: Passing tones, neighbor tones, and their diatonic/chromatic variations. Understand how to identify and write them in both melodic and harmonic contexts.
• Common Question Types: MCQs on identifying non-chord tones, FRQs on composing melodies with embellishments, and questions that combine voice leading with non-chord tones.
• Time Management: Quickly identify the harmonic rhythm and chord tones to correctly place non-chord tones.
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing neighbor tones with passing tones, incorrectly placing non-chord tones on strong beats, and not resolving dissonances properly.
• Strategies: Practice writing melodies with various non-chord tones, analyze examples from scores, and focus on understanding the function of each embellishment.

7. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a melody that moves from G to B, which of the following could be a diatonic passing tone in the key of G major? (A) A# (B) A (C) C (D) F#

2. A non-chord tone that moves a step away from a chord tone and then returns to it is called a: (A) Passing tone (B) Suspension (C) Neighbor tone (D) Anticipation

3. Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of a passing tone? (A) It occurs between two chord tones. (B) It moves stepwise. (C) It is always diatonic. (D) It can be accented or unaccented.

Free Response Question

Instructions: Compose a four-part harmonization of the following melody in C Major. Include at least one passing tone and one neighbor tone. Label all non-chord tones.

Melody: G - A - G - E - D - C

Scoring Breakdown:

• Correct Harmonization (4 points):
  • 1 point for correct root position chords in C major (I, IV, V, etc)
  • 1 point for correct voice leading between chords
  • 1 point for correct bass line
  • 1 point for correct soprano line
• Non-Chord Tones (2 points):
  • 1 point for correct placement of a passing tone
  • 1 point for correct placement of a neighbor tone
• Labeling (1 point):
  • 1 point for correctly labeling the non-chord tones (PT, NT)

Example Solution:

• Soprano: G - A - G - E - D - C

• Alto: E - F - E - C - B - A

• Tenor: C - E - D - G - G - E

• Bass: C - F - G - C - G - C

• A in the soprano is a passing tone (PT)

• B in the alto is a lower neighbor tone (NT)

Alright, future music masters! You've got this! Review these notes, practice, and go ace that AP Music Theory exam! 🎉