Non Chord Tones - NCT

Name

Abbreviation

Rhythm

Approached by

Left by

Unaccented Passing tone

p

unaccented

Step

Step in same direction

Accented Passing tone

>p

accented

Step

Step in same direction

Neighboring tone

n

unaccented

Step

Step in opposite direction

Accented Neighboring tone

>n

accented

Step

Step in opposite direction

Chromatic p or n

Ch p
Ch n

Accented and unaccented

Both passing tones and neighboring tones can be chromatic (do not belong to the scale)

They are usually a half step.

Chromatic Neighboring tones are spelled as minor seconds.

Suspension

s

Accented

Same tone

Step down

Retardation

r

Accented

Same tone

Step up

Appoggiatura

app

Accented

Leap

Step in opposite direction

Incomplete Accented Neighbor

Escape Tone

et

Unaccented

Step

Leap in opposite direction

Incomplete Neighbor

Changing Tones or
Neighbor group

n.gr

Unaccented

Incomplete Neighbors

Anticipation

ant

Unaccented

Step or Leap

Same tone

Pedal point

ped

NA

NA