The word 'embellishment' describes a broad category of notes that include both decorations of a specific note and passing notes between chord tones. Here are some of the most important types:

1. The Passing Tone (PT)
   Passing tones fill in the space between two chord tones by stepwise motion in the same direction.
   
   • If the PT is not diatonic (i.e. chromatic - hence showing an accidental) then it is a Chromatic PT.
     If the PT falls on a strong beat, it is an Accented PT (as opposed to an unaccented PT - usually just called a PT)
     
   
   
2. The Neighbor Tone (NT)
   A neighbor tones departs and returns to the same chord tone by step.
• If the neighbor tone either departs or arrives with an interval other than a step, then it is an Incomplete NT.
• If the NT has an accidental, then it is a Chromatic NT.


3. The Anticipation (ANT)
   This is an un-accented tone that is reached by step and anticipates a chord tone in the next chord.
   
   


4. The Retardation (RET)
   This is like a suspension (i.e. approached by common tone and resolved by step), but moving upwards instead of downwards.