BazzLow
ENIT
Module 9 · Lesson 4

Passing and approach notes

Connect chord tones with notes from outside the chord.

Before this lesson: 9.3 Chord tones over changes · 4.7 Consonance and dissonance

Chord tones are safe, but a line made only of chord tones can sound stiff. Notes from outside the chord add movement, as long as they lead somewhere.

Non-chord tones

Non-chord tones are notes that are not in the current chord. In a bass line they usually sit on weak beats or off-beats and lead to a chord tone on a strong beat. Unstable notes are fine when they move. They become a problem when held on a strong beat over a chord that does not contain them.

Passing notes

A passing note fills the gap between two chord tones by step. Over C, from C to E: C D E. D is a passing note.

Approach notes

An approach note is the note just before a target note, usually on the last beat or off-beat before a chord change. The main kinds:

  • chromatic approach: a half step below or above the target. Into F: E or G♭ just before. It works from outside the key too, because it resolves at once;
  • scale approach: the scale note a step above or below the target;
  • dominant approach: the 5th of the target chord (a 5th above or a 4th below its root). Into F: C just before, with the V→I pull in miniature.
Bass clef staffOver C then F: C E G on beats 1–3, then E on beat 4, a half step below the target F (a chromatic approach from below). The bar of F follows.44
Over C then F: C E G on beats 1–3, then E on beat 4, a half step below the target F (a chromatic approach from below). The bar of F follows.
Bass tablatureThe same line as tab: C at fret 3 on the A string; E at fret 2, G at fret 5, E at fret 2 on the D string; then F at fret 3.TAB32523
The same line as tab: C at fret 3 on the A string; E at fret 2, G at fret 5, E at fret 2 on the D string; then F at fret 3.
Bass clef staffThe approach from above: G♭ on beat 4, a half step above the target F (a chromatic approach from above).44♭
The approach from above: G♭ on beat 4, a half step above the target F (a chromatic approach from above).
Bass tablatureAs tab: the approach note G♭ is at fret 4 on the D string, before F at fret 3.TAB32543
As tab: the approach note G♭ is at fret 4 on the D string, before F at fret 3.
Bass clef staffThe dominant approach: C on beat 4, the 5th of F, a 4th below its root.44
The dominant approach: C on beat 4, the 5th of F, a 4th below its root.
Bass tablatureAs tab: C at fret 3 on the A string, then F at fret 3 on the D string.TAB32533
As tab: C at fret 3 on the A string, then F at fret 3 on the D string.

These tools are the basis of walking bass (four quarter notes per bar, mostly in jazz), which is beyond this course’s scope.

Try it

Over C (one bar) and F (one bar), play C E G on beats 1–3. Try a different approach note on beat 4 each time and land on F on beat 1.

New terms