PASSING NOTE Meaning and
Definition
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A passing note, also known as an auxiliary note or an embellishing note, is a musical term used to describe a non-chord tone that briefly occurs between two consecutive harmony notes. It is a brief melodic ornamentation that momentarily adds tension or color to a musical phrase, moving stepwise between the harmony notes.
Passing notes are commonly used in various musical genres, including classical, jazz, and pop music, to create smooth, connected melodic lines. They often occur within a single beat or as a quick grace note, linking the main harmony notes and providing a seamless flow.
In functional harmony, passing notes typically occur within a diatonic scale and are most commonly found between consonant notes. They are considered dissonant, momentarily clashing with the underlying harmony, but resolving quickly to a consonant note. This dissonance and subsequent resolution add richness and interest to the music.
Passing notes can be notated using regular notes or as grace notes, depending on their duration and context. They can be of varying lengths, from very brief transitional notes to longer ornamental figures. The use of passing notes is a compositional technique that adds complexity, fluidity, and dynamic interest to melodic lines, allowing for the creation of captivating and captivating musical passages.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PASSING NOTE
- oassing note
- lassing note
- -assing note
- 0assing note
- pzssing note
- psssing note
- pwssing note
- pqssing note
- paasing note
- pazsing note
- paxsing note
- padsing note
- paesing note
- pawsing note
- pasaing note
- paszing note
- pasxing note
- pasding note
- paseing note
Etymology of PASSING NOTE
The term "passing note" is used in music theory to refer to a non-chord tone, specifically a note that appears between two chord tones and creates a brief dissonance before resolving to a chord tone. The etymology of the term can be traced back to the early development of Western music theory.
The word "passing" in this context comes from the verb "to pass". In music, it indicates that the note is passing quickly between two other notes, often in a stepwise motion. This passing motion gives the passing note its characteristic transient and fleeting nature.
The term "passing note" has its roots in the 18th-century American English term "passing tone", which was later replaced by the more widely used "passing note". This change in terminology is likely due to the influence of British English. The word "note" simply refers to a musical pitch.
Similar spelling words for PASSING NOTE
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