Neighbour note

The detour and back

A melody does not consist only of chord tones. Between them there are notes that do not belong to the chord, so-called non-chord tones. The neighbour note is one of the simplest kinds: it lies between two identical notes. The melody leaves the chord tone by a step and returns to it, as in the examples below.

How it differs from the others

The passing note joins two different chord tones by step, whereas the neighbour note begins and ends on the same note. The suspension falls on the strong beat and resolves, whereas the neighbour note as a rule falls on the weak beat. If the auxiliary note does not return to the main note but leaps on in the opposite direction, it is called an escape note (échappé).

You distinguish upper and lower neighbour notes. The upper one lies a second above the chord tone, the lower one a second below. Whether the second is major or minor depends on the key. In the example F lies above E as a minor second, D above C as a major second, and B below C as a minor second.

Common mistakes

• Confusing neighbour note and passing note: The passing note carries on, the neighbour note returns.
• Treating every note next to a chord tone as a neighbour note: It has to be a non-chord tone.
• Overlooking the stress: On the strong beat you are more likely to have a suspension.