Music theory definition
Non-chord tone
A melody note that doesn't belong to the chord underneath it.
Melody over harmony
Melodies land on tones. The are : tension that steps back.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 12: Melody and voice leading. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Chord tones in a melody
Which melody notes belong to the harmony.
Related music terms
- Voice leading
- How each individual line moves from one chord to the next.
- SATB
- Four-part writing for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices.
- Parallel fifths
- Two voices a perfect 5th apart moving to another perfect 5th. Avoided in classical style because the voices blend into one.
- Passing tone
- A non-chord tone that fills a gap by step between two chord tones.
- Neighbor tone
- A non-chord tone that steps away from a chord tone and back.
- Suspension
- A note held over from the previous chord that then resolves down by step.