What do notes of anticipation typically signify?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Music Exam. Prepare with flashcards, multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready and ace your test!

Notes of anticipation are typically found just before a significant musical moment, and they serve to create a sense of expectation leading up to that moment. This is particularly evident when they occur at the end of a passage, as they foreshadow the arrival of the final chord or resolution. By placing a note of anticipation immediately before a key resolution, composers build tension and prepare the listener for what is coming next. This technique enhances the emotional impact of the music, as the listener is drawn into the inevitability of the resolution that follows.

In contrast, marking the beginning of a new section relates to structural changes in the music, which is not the primary purpose of anticipation notes. While tempo changes and harmonic shifts can be significant aspects of music, they are not the specific role of anticipation notes, which are more about setting up the resolution rather than indicating rhythmic or tonal changes.

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