Approach tones

1. What is an approach tone?
2. What is a approach note?
3. What is an approach note in music?
4. What are jazz approach notes?

What is an approach tone?

Diatonic approach tones are tones that occur within the scale of the chord. Chromatic approach tones are tones that are outside of the scale. Approach tones in general give shape and colour to the line, they give forward motion to the line and help maintain melodic interest.

What is a approach note?

Approach Notes are very well known in Jazz where the player uses the concept of target notes which are usually chord-tones or tensions in a chord and then plays notes that approach this target note before playing the note. i.e. In a Cmaj7, the E is a chord-tone (the major 3rd) and it is a desire target note.

What is an approach note in music?

The term "approach notes" is exactly what it claims to be: notes that are employed to approach a "goal" or "target note", most likely a chord or scale tone that completes a melodic or harmonic resolution of some sort - either temporary or final.

What are jazz approach notes?

An approach note is a note or series of notes that literally approach our target chord tone. The most common way we do this is with the use of chromaticism. If our phrase takes us to the third of a chord, our approach note could be a semitone behind it, or in front of it.