Embedded Files
Multi-Voice Melody with Non-Chord Tones
Multi-Voice Melody with Non-Chord Tones
For our final variation on melody-writing, we're going to integrate non-chord tones into our melodies.
Notes in a melody that are not in the underlying chord are called non chord tones (NCTs). They usually occur on a weak beat and resolve to a chord tone on a strong beat. It is possible to have more than one NCT in a row as long as the resolution to the chord tone is strong.
Types of Non-Chord Tones
Types of Non-Chord Tones
Non chord tones are identified by how they are approached and exited.
A step is the distance between two notes that are one letter away in the musical alphabet (e.g. F-G). A leap is the distance between two notes that is more than one letter away in the musical alphabet (e.g. C-E)
Additionally, you can use:
Suspension (SU): A note that is sustained or repeated from the previous chord. Suspensions are exited by a step to a chord tone in the following chord.
Anticipation (AN): A note that is not in the current chord, but is in the following chord. It occurs at the end of the measure and either sustains or repeats into the subsequent chord.
Comparing Multi-Voice Melody types
Comparing Multi-Voice Melody types
In Project 5.3, our example melody looked like this:
Every note in this example is found in in the harmony, and the chord voices are clearly labeled. Compare that with this variation using NCTs:
Here, we're using the same melodic rhythm from the previous project, but we've now included some NCTS to add some movement to the melody. This particular example uses leading tones, neighbor tones, anticipations, and passing tones to add color to the melody.
Compare and contrast these two melodies:
Melody with Chord Tones
Melody with Chord Tones
5.4 MVM CT.mp3Melody with NCTs
Melody with NCTs
5.4 MVM NCT.mp3Project 5.4
Project 5.4
For project 5.4, do the following (note: you are allowed to re-use the same materials from project 5.2/5.3 and just work on changing the melody to include NCTs)
Record the drum groove, bass line, chord part, and melody
Record four measure of the drum groove
Create a bass track
Record a performance of the moving bass line
Create a keyboard track
Record a performance of chordal part
Create a synth track
Record a performance of the multi-voice melody with non-chord tones
Quantize the performance for the drum, bass, keyboard, and melody to the correct subdivision
Submit 5.4 LASTNAME to your google folder
Page updated
Report abuse