Types of Non-Chord Tones
NCVPS AP Music Theory
Presentation by Dr. Tom Moncrief
What is a Non-Chord Tone?
 A non-chord tone is a tone or pitch that is sounded at the
same time as the chord, but is not analyzed as a member of
the chord. Non-chord tones are the embellishments to the
music that serve to “connect” or make the voice part more
melodic (or able to be sung).
 A non-chord tone (abbreviated NCT) is a pitch that is either
diatonic or chromatic. A diatonic NCT is one that is inside
the tonality and a chromatic NCT is a pitch that is outside of
the given tonal center.
 The pitch might be a NCT for the whole duration of the
harmony, or only a part of the harmonic duration.
Non-Chord Tones
 In Chapter Eleven of your Tonal Harmony textbook, four non-
chord tone classifications are discussed (passing tone,
neighboring tone, suspension and retardation).
 Passing Tones and Neighboring Tones are closely classified as
both are approached and left by step.
 Suspensions and Retardations are are closely classified as both
are approached by the same tone.
 Identifying and memorizing these classifications are
necessary. You may wish to make notecards that would help
you to remember these classifications.
Classifications of Non-Chord Tones
NCT Name and
Abbreviation
Approached by
Left by
Passing Tone (p)
Step
Step in the same direction
Neighboring Tone (n)
Step
Step in the opposite
direction
Suspension (s)
Same Tone
Step Down
Retardation (r)
Same Tone
Step Up
Appoggiatura (app)
Leap
Step
Escape Tone (e)
Step
Leap in the opposite
direction
Neighbor Group (n.gr)
Escape Tone
Appoggiatura
Anticipation (ant)
Step or Leap
Same Tone (or leap)
Passing Tone
 A Passing Tone “connects” two other tones. These two tones
might be analyzed in the same chord (“harmony”) or in
different chords.
Image Courtesy of Thomas Moncrief
Passing Tone
 The Passing Tone is Approached by “step” and Left by “step in
the same direction. In this example, the Subdominant (IV)
chord has the following pitches (Ab, C, and Eb). The “Bb”
sounded by the Bass Voice on beat 2, is a non-chord tone (a
passing tone). This would be an unaccented, diatonic,
ascending passing tone.
Passing Tone
 Let’s talk about these terms (“unaccented, diatonic,
ascending passing tone”.
 Unaccented—This is on an unaccented beat of the measure
(beat 2) and the duration of the chord is a half-note and the
NCT is not on the accented part of the duration.
 Diatonic—The “Bb” is part of the tonality of Eb Major, thus
diatonic.
 Ascending– The pitch pattern (Ab, Bb, C) is an ascending
pattern.
Neighboring Tones
 A neighboring Tone is an embellishment that moves to a pitch
class directly above or directly below the chord tone. The
NCT occurs inside beat two in the Tenor voice.
Image Courtesy of Thomas Moncrief
Neighboring Tone
 The Neighboring Tone is Approached by “step” and Left by
“step in the opposite direction.” In this example, the
Dominant (V) chord has the following pitches (D, F#, A).
The “E” sounded by the TenorVoice on the “and” of beat 2, is a
non-chord tone (a neighboring tone). This would be an
unaccented, diatonic, ascending neighboring tone.
Suspension
 A suspension holds on to or “suspends” a chord tone, while
the other parts have moved onto the next chord. There are
three parts of a suspension (the preparation, suspension and
resolution). See p. 172 for more details about these parts of
the suspension.
Image Courtesy of Thomas Moncrief
Suspension
 In this example, the chord on beat 3 is an E chord or the
Dominant (E, G#, B). However, the Tenor Voice “holds” or
“suspends” a pitch from the previous chord (the “A”). The “A”
is a 4th above the Bass (“E”), and the resolution is down to the
3rd above the Bass. We commonly will call this a 4-3
suspension.
Retardation
 A retardation holds on to or “suspends” a chord tone, while
the other parts have moved onto the next chord. A
retardation has all of the components of a suspension,
however the resolution does not “fall” but rather “rises.”
Image Courtesy of Thomas Moncrief
Retardation
 In this example, the chord on beat 3 is an A chord or the
Subdominant (A, C#, E). However, the Alto Voice “holds” or
“suspends” a pitch from the previous chord (the “G#”). The
resolution of the “G#” is in an ascending pattern to the “A”.
This NCT is a retardation.