ESCAPE TONE Meaning and
Definition
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An escape tone is a musical term that refers to a specific type of melodic device or ornamentation characterized by a disjunct or skipping movement. Also known as a "echappee," it occurs when a melodic line temporarily moves in the opposite direction to the prevailing melodic motion, creating a brief and momentary departure from the established melodic contour.
Typically found in contrapuntal music and compositional techniques such as fugues, an escape tone involves a pitch leap from a dissonant note to a consonant note. This leap is often a step or interval of a fourth or a fifth in the opposite direction of the melodic line. It can create a sense of tension and suspense, as the dissonant note clashes with the surrounding harmonies before resolving to the expected consonant note.
The purpose of an escape tone is to provide a momentary diversion or interruption in the melodic line, adding color and interest to the music. It serves as a contrast to the otherwise linear and predictable melodic contour, injecting a sense of surprise and inventiveness. The resolution of the escape tone helps to maintain the overall melodic integrity and coherence.
In summary, an escape tone is a fleeting melodic device that involves a temporary departure from the established melodic motion. It adds an element of tension and surprise to the music before resolving to a consonant note, contributing to the overall complexity and artistry of the composition.
Common Misspellings for ESCAPE TONE
- wscape tone
- sscape tone
- dscape tone
- rscape tone
- 4scape tone
- 3scape tone
- eacape tone
- ezcape tone
- excape tone
- edcape tone
- eecape tone
- ewcape tone
- esxape tone
- esvape tone
- esfape tone
- esdape tone
- esczpe tone
- escspe tone
- escwpe tone
- escqpe tone
Etymology of ESCAPE TONE
The term "escape tone" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "escape" and "tone".
1. "Escape": The term "escape" in music theory refers to a particular melodic ornamentation technique where a note that does not belong to the underlying harmony is briefly introduced and then resolved to a consonant note. This use of the term can be traced back to the idea of "escaping" from the expected or established harmony.
2. "Tone": In music terminology, "tone" refers to a specific pitch or frequency. It is often used to describe a single musical sound.
Therefore, "escape tone" refers to a melodic ornamentation where a pitch momentarily diverges from the established or expected harmony before resolving to a consonant pitch. The term is commonly used in music theory and analysis to describe this particular melodic device.
