passing-tone

An harmonic passing-tone is the second of three tones belonging to the same chord.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

It is permitted on the weak beat when the lower is treated as an harmonic passing-tone.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

While the third tone should be a member of the chord containing the fifth as an harmonic passing-tone, the chord above it may change as in Fig. 23_b_.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

The fifth, when in the lower part, may be used on any but the first quarter, provided it is treated as a passing-tone, e.g., approached and left by stepwise progression in one direction.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

The fifth, when treated as an harmonic passing-tone, may, however, be approached either ascending or descending.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

The seventh must then be treated as a passing-tone.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

This excludes the use of the unprepared seventh and ninth; all diminished and augmented triads except in their first inversion; and all six-four chords, except when the lowest part is treated as a passing-tone.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann

_a_ the passing-tone, instead of progressing directly to the adjacent chord-tone, skips a third to the other side of it and then returns.

A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons Friedrich Johann Lehmann