Questions: Non-Chord Tones

Question 1

A melody note on a weak beat steps from G (a chord tone of G major) up to A, then returns by step back to G. What type of non-chord tone is the A?

• A. Passing tone
• B. Neighbor tone
• C. Suspension
• D. Anticipation

Answer: (B)

A neighbor tone steps away from a chord tone and returns to the same chord tone. A is not in the G major triad (G-B-D), moves by step away from G, and resolves back to G — the defining motion of a neighbor tone. A passing tone would continue stepwise to a different chord tone rather than returning.

Question 2

A suspension is typically consonant with the chord it occurs over.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

By definition, a suspension is a dissonance — a note held over from the previous chord that clashes with the new harmony. Its essential characteristic is that it resolves downward by step to a chord tone. If it were consonant with the prevailing chord, it would simply be a chord tone, not a suspension.

Question 3

Explain the difference between a passing tone and a neighbor tone.

Model answer: A passing tone moves by step between two different chord tones (bridging the gap), while a neighbor tone steps away from a chord tone and returns to that same chord tone.

The key distinction is destination. Passing tones travel from one chord tone to another, filling a melodic gap stepwise. Neighbor tones orbit a single chord tone, creating brief embellishment before returning. This difference gives them different expressive effects: passing tones create forward momentum, while neighbor tones create a gentle oscillation around a stable pitch.