Suggested Learning Resources
- Passing tones are approached by step and left by step in the same direction
(all descending or all ascending)
- Neighbor tones are approached by step and left by step, but in opposite
directions (with the notes that precede and follow being the same notes)
- A neighbor tone that is above the note that precedes and follows it is
called an upper neighbor
- A neighbor tone that is below the note that precedes and follows it is
called a lower neighbor
- In SATB writing, these embellishments can occur on the beat (accented)
or in-between beats (unaccented), but more often occur in the unaccented position
- These embellishments usually create a temporary harmonic dissonance
- A Double neighbor occurs when the embellishing tones move to both the
upper and lower neighbor before resolving to the original pitch
- A Pedal Point, is a tone that is held (or re-articulated) that does not
change even as the upper voice harmonies change.
- The function of a pedal point often prolongs the initial harmonic area.
- NOTE: Pedal Points are most often found in the lowest sounding voice,
but can appear in any voice.
https://youtu.be/YrTEGIAsGlU
Objective 21.1: Define Identify and Label the following embellishments in the context
of four-part SATB voicing, Passing Tone, Neighbor Tone, Double Neighbor, and Pedal
Point