nonharmonic tone
Very LowSpecialized / Technical
Definition
Meaning
A musical note in a chord that does not belong to the underlying harmony and creates temporary dissonance.
In music theory, a tone that is foreign to the prevailing chord and requires resolution to a chord tone; a dissonance that functions melodically before resolving to a consonance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used almost exclusively in music theory, particularly tonal harmony analysis. The term describes a specific functional relationship between a note and the chord sounding beneath it, not merely a random dissonance. Common types include passing tones, neighbor tones, suspensions, appoggiaturas, escape tones, and anticipations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or definition between British and American English in this highly technical context.
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low frequency and confined to music theory discourse in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [nonharmonic tone] resolves [down/up] to [chord tone].A [suspension/appoggiatura] is a type of [nonharmonic tone].Label the [nonharmonic tones] in this [phrase].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in musicology, music theory, and composition textbooks and papers to analyze tonal music.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary and sole context of use. Crucial for describing voice-leading and harmonic analysis in Western tonal music.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The nonharmonic note created a brief moment of tension.
American English
- The composer's use of nonharmonic tones is very expressive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In this piece, the melody uses many nonharmonic tones for decoration.
- A passing tone moves stepwise between two chord tones.
- The analyst identified the appoggiatura as a particularly expressive nonharmonic tone, unprepared and resolving by leap.
- Bach's counterpoint is masterful in its treatment of suspensions and other nonharmonic tones, creating rich harmonic movement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: NON (not) + HARMONIC (belonging to the chord) TONE (note). A note that is NOT part of the home-chord family.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VISITOR IN A HOUSE. The chord is the stable home; the nonharmonic tone is a guest who must arrive and then leave (resolve) in a specific, polite manner.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like *негармоничный тон* which sounds odd. The standard Russian music theory term is *невключенный тон* or *неаккордовый звук*.
- Confusing it with general 'dissonance' (*диссонанс*). Nonharmonic tone is a specific, functional type of dissonance.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'nonharmonic' to describe general discord or unpleasant sounds outside of music.
- Spelling as 'non-harmonic tone' (hyphenated form is less common but acceptable).
- Confusing it with 'atonality' or 'dissonant harmony'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a nonharmonic tone?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A nonharmonic tone is a deliberate, theoretically governed dissonance that resolves. A 'wrong note' is typically an unintentional performance error.
Typically, no. By definition, a nonharmonic tone creates a dissonance (clash) with the underlying harmony, which is what gives it its need to resolve.
No. While the term originates from the analysis of Western classical tonal music, the concept applies to any music that uses functional harmony, including some jazz, pop, and film music.
A chord extension is considered part of the harmony (a chord tone) in jazz and modern harmony. A nonharmonic tone is not part of the chord; it is a melodic embellishment that happens to sound against the chord.