Unit 3-1: Embellishing Tones with Steps and Leaps

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Categorize embellishing tones into two categories: those involving stepwise motion (passing and neighbor tones) and those involving leaps (appoggiaturas and escape tones).
Explain how each type of embellishing tone is approached and resolved and whether it usually occurs on a strong or weak beat.
Analyze examples from the repertoire, identifying Roman numerals, chord function, and embellishing tones by type (as P, N, IN, App, or E).
Compose a progression in four voices that includes at least one embellishing tone from each category.
Compose a four-bar melody over a T-PD-D-T chord progression that uses at least three embellishing tones and ends with a PAC or IAC.
Harmonize a melody with a 4-voice accompaniment that incorporates embellishing tones using T, PD, and D harmonies from previous lessons.

Preparation for Class

Read:

Embellishing Tones (John Peterson, OMT)
- - Read through "Category 2: Embellishing Tones that Involve a Leap"
  - See additional examples and descriptions here: Kaitlin Bove, "Non-Chord Tones"
Embellishing Tone Summary Handout (Louden)

Watch

Non-Chord Tones
Kati Meyer (6 mins) - Watch from 0:00–6:24

Optional: For a more extended discussion also watch: Introduction to Non-Chord Tones (Part 1)
Seth Monahan (21 mins) - Watch from 0:00–20:47

Study Aids

Handouts

Summary of Embellishing Tones (Sarah Louden)
Nonharmonic Tones Handout (Toby Rush)
Sparky the Theory Dog Presents: Suspensions (Toby Rush)

Examples of Neighbor (N) and Passing Tones (P)
Source: Timothy Rolls (Theory II: Non-Chord Tones)

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Categorizing Embellishing Tones: Break down how each of the four embellishing tones discussed in the reading (P, N, App, and E) are approached and left. Do they typically occur on a strong beat or a weak beat? Listen to examples of each and discuss the different expressive qualities of each type of embellishment.
- - As you work, fill out the worksheet here with examples of your own. (Just complete the first section with P, N, App, E).

Activities

Practice Worksheets
- 1. Worksheet 1: Compose examples of embellishing tones that involve steps (P, N, App, E) over a given bassline. (Open Music Theory)
  2. Worksheet 2 (See Section I and II only): Identifying different types of passing and neighbor tones and adding them to given progressions. (from Fundamentals, Function, and Form)
  3. Worksheet 3 (Turek, Theory for Today's Musician, see pp. 78–86) [Available online through the library here]
Analysis: Work through the examples from the Anthology linked below. Identify the Roman numerals, chord function, and cadences for each example. Circle and label all non-chord tones by type as P, N, App, IN, or E.
Composition: Complete the following steps. For a shorter activity, just complete steps 1 and 4.
- 1. Compose a 4-bar chord progression that uses the T-PD-D-T phrase model.
  2. Partwrite the progression in 4-voice SATB or keyboard style.
  3. Add at least one passing or neighbor tone, and at least one appoggiatura or escape tone.
  4. Compose a melody to go with your chord progression. Your melody should use mostly chord tones, but also incorporate at least 4 non-chord tones. Circle and label each by type.
  5. For extra practice, turn your composition into a parallel or contrasting period. If you closed with a PAC, use these 4 bars as the consequence and compose an antecedent to precede it. If your cadence was an IAC, compose a consequent to follow.
Harmonize a Melody: Follow the steps below.
- 1. Have a partner select one of the melodies from the anthology section below. All notes and chord symbols should be removed so that only the melody is visible.
  2. Harmonize your partner's melody by selecting chords (I, IV, ii, V, or V7). Circle all non-chord tones and label them by type as P, N, App, IN, or E. If it can't be labeled as one of these types, consider using a different chord or changing the harmonic rhythm.
  3. If there's time, compose a simple accompaniment to the melody using the chords you've selected.
  4. Compare your harmonization to the original in the anthology. Listen to both and discuss differences.

Repertoire for Practice

Embellishing Tones: Examples for analysis that include embellishing tones from the reading (P, N, App, and E) over harmonies that include I, IV, ii, and V. See the first two sections: "Passing & Neighbor Tones" and "Embellishing Tones with Leaps."

Anthology: Embellishing Tones

Assignment

Assignment 3-1

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Embellishing Tones with Static Notes

Want to learn more?

Check out this blog post by Tim Chenette about the use of suspensions in popular muisc: "I Came In Like a Suspension."

Practice

Musition:
- Nonharmonic Tones: Levels 1a, 1b
Quizlet:
- Embellishing Tones: Identify embellishing tones by type.

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