Which statement best defines a passing tone?

• A. Approached by leap, resolved by step
• B. Approached by step, resolved by step in the same direction
• C. Moves by leaps and resolves by skip
• D. Remains stationary for two beats

Answer: (B)

A passing tone is a nonharmonic tone that connects two chord tones with stepwise motion, creating a smooth melodic line without altering the underlying harmony. It’s not part of the harmony at that moment, but it helps bridge the chord tones between them. The defining idea is that it is approached by step from one chord tone and then resolved by step to the next chord tone, with both steps in the same direction. For example, in C major, a melody C – D – E uses D as a passing tone: it’s reached from C by a step and then leaves to E by a step, both upward, preserving the overall harmony while making the line more fluid. If a note were approached by leap and resolved by step, that would be a different kind of nonharmonic tone (an appoggiatura). If a note doesn’t move by step or sits on a beat without moving, it isn’t a passing tone.