AP Music Theory: Passing and Neighbor Tones - Your Ultimate Guide 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Let's get you feeling super confident about passing and neighbor tones. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource the night before the exam. Let's make sure everything clicks!

1. Review of Passing and Neighbor Tones

Passing Tones

• Definition: A passing tone is a non-chord tone that connects two chord tones by step. It creates a smooth transition and a sense of movement.
• Function: They "pass" between stable chord tones, adding flow to the music. Think of them as musical bridges. 🌉
• Placement: Usually in the upper voices (especially soprano), but can be in the bass line too.
• Rhythm: Typically on weaker beats, but can be accented for rhythmic interest.
• Types:
  • Unaccented: On a weaker beat.
  • Accented: On a stronger beat (less common).
  • Diatonic: Within the key's scale.
  • Chromatic: Outside the key's scale (e.g., C-C#-D).

Caption: Example of passing tones in a melodic line.

Neighbor Tones

• Definition: A neighbor tone is a non-chord tone that steps away from a chord tone and then immediately returns to it. It's like a quick detour! 🔄
• Function: Creates ornamentation and a sense of anticipation/delay.
• Placement: Usually in the upper voices (especially soprano), but can be in the bass line too.
• Types:
  • Upper Neighbor: Steps up then returns (e.g., C-D-C).
  • Lower Neighbor: Steps down then returns (e.g., C-B-C).
  • Diatonic: Within the key's scale.
  • Chromatic: Outside the key's scale.

Caption: Example of a neighbor tone in a melodic line.

2. Writing Passing and Neighbor Tones

General Guidelines

• Soprano Line Focus: Most embellishments occur in the soprano line because it's typically perceived as the melody. 🎤
• Stepwise Motion: Both passing and neighbor tones move stepwise.
• Unaccented Preference: In 18th-century style, they're usually unaccented.
• Bass Line: Use passing and neighbor tones in the bass line to avoid leaps, or when the soprano line is stationary.

Voice Leading Considerations

• Soprano Leaps: If a soprano leap is necessary, use passing tones to smooth the line.
• Bass Line Embellishments: When adding non-chord tones in the bass line, ensure the soprano line is stationary.
• Voice Exchange: Use passing tones in the bass line to create voice exchange with the soprano line. This adds a beautiful touch! 🤝
• Parallel Motion: Add non-chord tones in the bass line to create tension in parallel thirds or sixths.

Caption: Example of voice exchange between soprano and bass lines.

Understanding and correctly using passing and neighbor tones is crucial for voice leading and melodic writing. Make sure you practice these concepts thoroughly!

3. Final Exam Focus 🎯

• Highest Priority Topics:
  • Distinguishing between passing and neighbor tones.
  • Writing them correctly in both soprano and bass lines.
  • Understanding accented vs. unaccented non-chord tones.
  • Recognizing chromatic passing and neighbor tones.
  • Applying them in voice leading scenarios.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple choice questions identifying non-chord tones.
  • Short answer questions explaining the function of non-chord tones.
  • Free response questions that require you to write or analyze a short passage with passing and neighbor tones.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Quickly identify the chord tones and look for stepwise motion.
  • Common Pitfalls: Watch out for strong beat non-chord tones and leaps in the soprano line without passing tones.
  • Strategies: If you're stuck, try adding passing tones between leaps or neighbor tones around sustained notes.

4. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a melodic line moving from G4 to B4, which of the following correctly uses a passing tone? a) G4 - A4 - C5 - B4 b) G4 - A#4 - B4 c) G4 - A4 - B4 d) G4 - F#4 - B4

2. Which of the following best describes an upper neighbor tone? a) Approached by a note of a lower pitch and returns to the original note. b) Approached by a note of a higher pitch and returns to the original note. c) Connects two chord tones by step. d) Skips away from a chord tone and then returns to it.

Free Response Question

Instructions: Analyze the following four-part harmony excerpt, identifying all passing and neighbor tones. Then, rewrite the excerpt adding a passing tone in the bass line and a neighbor tone in the soprano line. Provide a brief explanation of your choices.

[Insert a short musical excerpt here in C major with a I-V-I progression, with some basic voice leading. Example: Soprano: G4-A4-G4, Alto: E4-E4-E4, Tenor: C4-B3-C4, Bass: C3-G2-C3]

Scoring Breakdown:

• Identification of non-chord tones (2 points): 1 point for each correctly identified non-chord tone in the original excerpt.
• Addition of passing tone in bass line (2 points): 1 point for correct note choice, 1 point for correct placement.
• Addition of neighbor tone in soprano line (2 points): 1 point for correct note choice, 1 point for correct placement.
• Explanation of choices (2 points): 1 point for explaining the function of passing tone, 1 point for explaining the function of neighbor tone.

Alright, you've got this! Remember, music theory is about understanding the relationships between notes. Trust your ears, and you'll do great! 🚀