passing note
Definition
Noun: 1. A nonharmonic note: A single musical note, often very brief, that is not part of the prevailing chord or harmony. It is used to create a smooth melodic transition between two chord tones (harmonic notes).
Usage
A passing note is a specific compositional technique in music theory. It is a dissonant note that connects two consonant notes (notes belonging to the chord) by stepwise motion (moving up or down the scale). Its primary function is melodic decoration and creating a sense of motion between stable points in the melody.
Examples
- The composer used a passing note to smoothly connect the third and fifth of the chord, avoiding a melodic leap.
- In his analysis, the teacher pointed out the passing note in the violin part that resolved downward to the tonic.
- The melody's fluidity comes from its clever use of passing notes between the main harmonic pitches.
Advanced Usage
- Accented vs. Unaccented: A passing note can be either accented (falling on a strong beat) or, more commonly, unaccented (falling on a weak beat).
- Chromatic Passing Note: When the passing note is not in the key signature but fills the space between two notes a whole step apart, it is called a chromatic passing note (e.g., moving from C to D by using C#).
Variants and Related Words
- Passing Tone: This is a complete synonym for passing note. The terms are used interchangeably in music theory.
- Neighbor Note: A related but distinct ornament where a note moves stepwise away from a harmonic note and then returns to it, rather than continuing on.
- Appoggiatura: A type of nonharmonic note that is approached by leap and resolved by step, often carrying more expressive weight than a passing note.
Synonyms
- Passing tone
- Embellishing tone
- Nonharmonic tone
Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs)
- Resolution: The movement of a dissonant passing note to a consonant harmonic note.
- Stepwise Motion: Movement to an adjacent scale degree, which is characteristic of how a passing note functions.
Noun
-
a nonharmonic note inserted for transition between harmonic notes
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