Embellishing Tones

Examples for identifying different types of embellishing tones including passing, incomplete neighbors, suspensions, pedal tones, and pedal chords.

Passing & Neighbor Tones

Embellishing Tones with Leaps/Skips

Suspensions and Retardations

Passing & Neighbor Tones

1) Ignatius Sancho, “The Royal Bishop,” mm. 1–4

From Twelve Country Dances for the Year 1779

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore.
Audio: YouTube (7:54–8:04)

2) Nino Rota, Main Theme (Waltz), mm. 1–8

From The Godfather (1972)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore.
Audio: YouTube (0:39–0:53)

3) Francis Johnson, No. 7, “Ford,” mm. 1–8

From A Collection of New Cotillons (1818)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore.
Audio: YouTube (8:05–8:20)

4) Buffalo Springfield, “For What It's Worth,”mm. 5–12

Single (1966), words and music by Stephen Stills

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:28)

5) Cat Stevens, “Morning Has Broken,” verse

From Teaser and the Firecat (1971), words written by Eleanor Farjeon, music by Cat Stevens

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:20)

6) Louise Reichardt, “Heymdal,” mm. 1–5

From 12 Deutsche und Italianische Romantische Gesange, No. 12

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore.
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:11)

7) Bryan Adams, “Summer of '69,” verse

From Reckless (1985), words and music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:04–0:30)

8) Johanna Kinkel, No. 3, “Gondellied,” mm. 1–4

From 6 Gedichte, Op. 8 (1838)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:09)

9) Ariana Grande, “We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” mm. 1–6

From eternal sunshine (2024), written by Ariana Grande, Max Martin & ILYA

Instructor Copies: Image, MuseScore
Student Copies: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube: (1:27–1:37)

10) Maria Theresia von Paradis, No. 2, “Sophia an Siegwart,” mm. 1–8

From 12 Lieder, 1786 (1786)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3

11) Steppenwolf, “Born to be Wild,” bridge

From Steppenwolf (1968), written by Mars Bonfire

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:48–3:03)

12) Bing Crosby, “Temptation,” mm. 1–8

From the film Going to Hollywood (1933), written by Nacio Herb Brown

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:45)

13) The Beatles, “Octopus's Garden,” verse, phrase 3

From Abbey Road (1969), written by Richard Starkey

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:31–0:42)

14) Hank Williams, “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” verse

Single (1951), words and music by Hank Williams

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:06–0:29)

15) Elvis Presley, “Can't Help Falling In Love,” verse

From Blue Hawaii (1961), written by George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, and Luigi Creatore

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:35)

16) Yoshino Hirai, “Overworld” theme, mm. 5–8

From the video game Star Tropics (1990)

Score: Image
Audio: Youtube (X:XX–X:XX)

Embellishing Tones with Leaps/Skips

Includes examples with incomplete neighbors, appoggiaturas, escape tones, as well as previous non-chord tones. Examples do not include any suspensions, retardations, or anticipations.

1) Harry Styles, “Sign of the Times,” chorus

From Harry Styles (2017), written by Tyler Johnson, Alex Salibian, Ryan Nasci, Mitch Rowland, Jeff Bhasker & Harry Styles

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:19–1:52)

2) The Beatles, “Yellow Submarine,” chorus

From Revolver (1966), words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:36–0:53)

Suspensions and Retardations

Also includes previous non-chord tones.

1) Heart, “How Do I Get You Alone?” chorus

From Bad Animals (1987), written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:05–1:17)

2) Maria Theresia von Paradis, No. 4, “Das Gärtnerliedchen aus dem Siegwart,” mm. 36–44

From 12 Lieder, 1786 (1786). Lyrics by Johannes Martin Miller.

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3 (0:47–1:00)

3) Joseph Bologne, Allegro, movt. 1, mm. 10–13

From String Quartet op. 1, no. 5 (1771)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (25:42–25:49)

4) Joseph Bologne, Allegro, movt. 1, mm. 1–4

From String Quartet op. 1, no. 5 (1771)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (25:26–25:35)

5) Joseph Bologne, Allegro, movt. 1, mm. 1–8

From Violin Sonata No. 3 in G minor, op. 1a (1770)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:01–0:15)

6) Klaus Badelt, “He's a Pirate,” mm. 1–4

From the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:04–0:08)

7) Amy Beach, No. 18, “Twilight,” mm. 1–4

From Summer Dreams, Op. 47 (1901)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:12)

8) Louise Reichardt, “Poesie von Tieck,” mm. 1–8

From 12 Deutsche und Italianische Romantische Gesange

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3

9) Louise Reichardt, “An Maria,” mm. 1–4

From Zwölf Gesänge, Op.3 (1811), No. 11

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:15)

10) The Drifters, “Save the Last Dance for Me,” verse

From Save the Last Dance for Me (1960), words and music by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:02–0:18)

11) Kansas, “Dust in the Wind,” verse

From Little Queen (1977). Written by Ann Wilson, RogerFisher, Nancy Wilson, Michael Derosier

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:19–1:24)

Anticipations

Also includes previous non-chord tones.

1) Twisted Sister, “We're Not Gonna Take It,” verse

From Stay Hungry (1984), words and music by Dee Snider.

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:22–0:33)

2) R.E.M., “Everybody Hurts,” verse

From Automatic for the People (1993), words and music by William Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, and Michael Stipe

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:45)

3) Fun, “Carry On,” chorus

From Some Nights (2012), written by Jeff Phasker, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:45–1:56)

4) Ike & Tina Turner, “River Deep-Mountain High,” pre-chorus

From River Deep-Mountain High (1966), words and music by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:29)

5) Billy Ray Cyrus, “Achy Breaky Heart,” chorus

From Some Gave All (1992), words and music by Don Von Tress

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:00–1:16)

6) Brandy, “What About Us?,” verse 1

From Full Moon (2002), written by Brandy, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Kenisha Pratt, and Nora Payne

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:29)

7) Billy Joel, “Piano Man,” verse
From Piano Man (1973), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:30–0:40)

8) ABBA, “Dancing Queen,” verse

From Arrival (1976), words and music by Benny Anderson, Stig Anderson, and Björn Ulvaeus

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:45–1:04)

Pedal Tones

1) Joseph Bologne, String Quartet Op. 1, No. 6, mm. 212–219

Movt. 2 (1771)

Score: PDF, Image
Audio: YouTube (40:49–41:00)

2) Joseph Bologne, String Quartet Op. 1, No. 6, mm. 13–20

Movt. 1 (1771)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (33:19–33:32)

3) Louise Reichardt, No. 3, “Durch die bunten Rosenhecken,” mm. 5–8

From Zwölf Deutsche und Italiänische Romantische Gesänge (1811)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:21)

4) Billy Joel, “Leningrad,” verse
From Stormfront (1989), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:20–0:49)

5) The Beatles, “Blackbird,” chorus
From The Beatles (White Album) (1968), written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:52–1:00)

6) Louise Farrenc, Etude No. 10 in F-Sharp Minor, mm. 1–10

From 30 Etudes dan touse les tons majeurs et mineurs pour piano, Op. 26 (1876)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:41)

7) Emilie Mayer, “O lass mich dein gedenken,” mm. 5–8

From 3 Lieder, Op. 7 (1848)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3

8) Max Steiner, Main Theme (Tara's Theme)

From the film Gone with the Wind (1939)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:26–0:36)

9) Jerry Goldsmith, Main Theme

From the film Under Fire (1983)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3

Pedal Chords

1) Nino Rota, “Love Theme”

From the film The Godfather (1972)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:29)

2) Louise Farrenc, Andante, Movt. 2, mm. 1–8

From Trio for Piano, Flute, and Cello, Op. 45 (1857)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (7:06–7:22)

More Examples

Diverse Music Theory Examples: Non-Chord Tones
Music By Women: Explore the Database (Click on the Embellishing Tone Filter on the left and search by category.)

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