AP Music Theory Flashcards: Embellishing Tones: Identifying Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
If you see a decorative note in a melody that is not part of the underlying chord, what two terms could you use to describe it?
You could describe it as an embellishing tone, or more specifically, as a nonharmonic tone (or nonchord tone).
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If you see a decorative note in a melody that is not part of the underlying chord, what two terms could you use to describe it?
You could describe it as an embellishing tone, or more specifically, as a nonharmonic tone (or nonchord tone).
What is the primary purpose of using embellishing tones in music?
Composers use them to expand individual lines and intensify musical expression.
What are the two types of neighbor tones mentioned in the text?
The two types of neighbor tones mentioned are the lower neighbor and the upper neighbor.
What two main factors are used to classify a nonharmonic tone?
A nonharmonic tone is classified by the way it is melodically approached and resolved, and by its rhythmic placement (on or off the beat).
When analyzing notated music, how would you first identify a note as a potential nonharmonic tone?
You would identify it by determining if the note's pitch is outside the pitch content of the prevailing chord.
Name two common classifications of nonharmonic tones.
Two common classifications of nonharmonic tones are passing tones and neighbor tones.
What is an embellishing tone?
A decorative note used to expand individual lines and/or intensify expression within a chordal framework.
What is the difference between an accented and an unaccented nonharmonic tone?
An accented nonharmonic tone falls directly on a beat, whereas an unaccented one falls on a division between beats.
What is a nonharmonic tone (or nonchord tone)?
An embellishing tone that lies outside the pitch content of the prevailing chord.
What are the two sub-classifications of passing tones based on rhythmic placement?
Passing tones can be classified as either accented (on the beat) or unaccented (off the beat).