Dotted Notes
In this section, we are going to learn about extending the value of a note or rest, by putting a dot next to it. The only thing you need to know is that a dot extends the note or rest by half its original value. For example, a dotted whole note is no longer 4 beats, but is 6 beats. Similarly, a dotted crotchet note lasts for 1 1/2 beats.
Dotted Whole Note
As mentioned above, we see that when we add a dot to the whole note, its value or duration is extended by half its original length. Thus, the whole note now lasts for 6 beats. Note that the location of the dot is always to the right of the note head.
Dotted Half Note
As we can see, if a dot is added to a half note, its duration is increased by half its original value. Thus, the dotted half note lasts for 3 beats.
Dotted Quarter Note
From our knowledge of what a dot does to a note, we can easily calculate that the duration of a dotted quarter note is 1 1/2 beats.
Dotted Eighth Note
Before we calculate the duration of a dotted quarter note, let's first recall the duration of an ordinary eighth note: 1/2 beat. Now if we are to add on half of this value to the eighth note's value, we will get a total of 3/4 beat. Therefore, a dotted eighth note lasts for 3/4 beat.
Can you guess for how many beats a dotted sixteenth note lasts? I won't go into it at this level simply because it would mean having to teach a note that is not required at this level.
Can you guess for how many beats a dotted sixteenth note lasts? I won't go into it at this level simply because it would mean having to teach a note that is not required at this level.
Dotted Rests
Just as there are dotted notes, so too are there dotted rests! Let's get straight into it:
Dotted Semibreve Rest
A dotted semibreve rest is pictured on the left. Remember, a semibreve rest hangs from the fourth line of the staff. Instead of the regular 4 beats of silence, a dotted semibreve rest lasts for 6 beats of silence.
Dotted Minim Rest
Ordinarily, a minim rest would last for 2 beats. With the added dot, it lasts for 3 beats.
Dotted Crotchet Rest
By now you could predict what I'm going to write here. If you said 1 1/2 beats, then you're right!
Dotted Quaver Rest
A dotted quaver rest lasts for 3/4 beat.
Tied Notes
Notes that are tied to one another are 'connected' to each other by a curved line. See the picture below. Observe that the notes that are tied to each other are in the same space. This is very important as notes cannot be tied to one another if they are not on the same line or in the same space. Also, you can tie more than two notes to one another. I've seem up to 6 notes tied to one another!
When tied notes are played, a total of one note is played, but for the duration of all the notes tied. Does that sound confusing? Well it's not. Let's look at the example below. There are two quarter noted. If we add their durations, we get a total of 2 beats. What this means is that a musician would play the note once, but sustain it for a total of 2 beats.
When tied notes are played, a total of one note is played, but for the duration of all the notes tied. Does that sound confusing? Well it's not. Let's look at the example below. There are two quarter noted. If we add their durations, we get a total of 2 beats. What this means is that a musician would play the note once, but sustain it for a total of 2 beats.
Let's look at the example below. There are two tied minim notes. The total of their durations is 4 beats. Therefore, the musician would play the first note and sustain it for a total of 4 beats.
Let's Review...
Here are the dotted notes we learnt and their equivalent durations. For the rests, remember that it's the same as for the notes, except rests represent periods of silence, and notes represent periods of sound.
When you encounter tied noted, just add all the notes that are tied together and then you will get the duration for which the note lasts.
When you encounter tied noted, just add all the notes that are tied together and then you will get the duration for which the note lasts.
Test Yourself
Go ahead and download the test to see how much you remember.
test_5-dotted_notes_rests.pdf | |
File Size: | 110 kb |
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