Non

Table of Contents

Rhythm
Intervals
Key and Scale
Triads and key
Seventh Chords
Non-harm. tones
Roman num/
fig bass 1
Dom-tonic function
Secondary dom
Modulation
Aug 6th Chords
Neap 6th Chords

Section 2:

Borrowed chords
Mediants
Special uses of dim 7
Chromatic non-H tones
Roman num/
figured bass 2

Section 3:

Set theory
Rhythm/ form
12- tone
Polyrhythm
Metric modulation
Meter

Section 4:

Basic Assumptions
Motive, Phrase and Period
Cadence
Binary form
Ternary form
Rounded binary form
Sonata form
Rondo form
Theme and variation
Dance forms

Section 5:

Basic assumptions
and procedures
Harmony
Form and rhythm
Melody
Timbre

Section 6: Bibliography

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Non-harmonic tones

Basic Concepts

1. Non-harmonic tones are the notes that do not fit into the prevailing harmony. These notes must be accounted for somehow, or else we cannot adequately answer the basic music theory question "what do we do with all these notes?"

2. Theorists have developed names and definitions for each type of non-harmonic tone. In practice however, one finds notes periodically that do not seem to fit any one particular definition. Therefore, when dealing with non-harmonic tones, one must look at the function of the tone, choose the label that best applies, then offer an explanation of why that label fits best.

3. Sometimes one encounters difficulty choosing which notes in a passage are non-harmonic because the harmony is unclear or because certain choices affect which harmony is chosen. Usually instances like this are resolved by listening to or playing the passage. Remember, let the music tell you what it is doing; don't impose your theory on the music.

Types of non-harmonic tones: Non-harmonic tones are defined according to the way they are approached and left. They are best remembered in pairs, as they are listed and defined below.

Passing tones - notes that pass by step between chord tones.
Neighboring tones - notes that leave and return to the same chord tone by step.

Appoggiatura* - a note that is approached by leap, and resolved to a chord tone by step. Usually the resolution is in the opposite direction of the leap.
Escape tone - the opposite of an appoggiatura. It is approached by step and resolved to a chord tone by leap.

Suspension - a note that is held over, that is approached by itself, and resolved to the chord tone by step after the chord has arrived.
Anticipation - the chord tone arrives before the chord. It is usually approached by step.

Other types of non-harmonic tones that do not form logical pairs:

Pedal tone - a repeating note or held note over (or under or around) which the harmony changes.

Auxiliary tone - a note that relates to a chord tone by step but may not be a neighboring tone.

Changing tones - consist of two notes, one that leaves the chord tone by step, then leaps to the next non-harmonic tone by skipping over the chord tone, then resolving to the same chord tone by step.

*Be careful with the term appoggiatura. As a non-harmonic tone, it is defined here. However, an appoggiatura is also an ornament that varies according to the era in which it was written.