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Dotted Notes and Ties
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Chapter 1 · Lesson 06
There are two ways to lengthen a note. A dot next to the note adds half of its value. A tie joins two identical notes into one longer note.
Lesson Notes
In the previous lessons we saw the basic note values and the rests. All those values double or halve: whole, half, quarter, eighth. But if you need a duration that simple halving can't produce, say three beats or one and a half beats, music notation gives you two tools: the dot and the tie.
01The dot on a dotted note
A dot next to a note makes it a dotted note, which means it adds half of the original value to its duration. In other words:
- Dotted half = half + quarter = 3 beats (syllable ta-a-a).
- Dotted quarter = quarter + eighth = 1½ beats.
- Dotted eighth = eighth + sixteenth = ¾ of a beat.
The same rule applies to rests (a dotted rest lasts 1.5 times the duration of the original.)
02Combining note values
Here are some of the combinations you will run into, grouped by total duration. Dotted notes, which use their own syllables, are shown separately.
2 beats
Some of the combinations without dotted notes that fill 2 beats:
The matching combinations with dotted notes for 2 beats:
Notice that we use tam instead of ta. The closed "m" cuts the dotted note's syllable off sharply, so that the next, shorter note or rest can sound right after it.
1 beat
Some of the combinations without dotted notes that fill 1 beat:
The matching combinations with dotted notes for 1 beat:
03The tie
A tie is a curved line that joins two notes of the same pitch. You don't play them separately; you play them as one continuous note whose duration equals the sum of the two.
In rhythmic solfège, say the syllable or syllables of the note that results from joining the two. The second note gets no syllable of its own.
04Ties across the barline
The tie becomes essential when the duration you want carries on into the next measure (that is, it crosses the barline). A dotted note cannot be split across two measures, but a tie does it naturally. That is why both tools exist instead of just one.
Here is how it looks in 4/4:
Recap
- A dot next to a note or rest adds half of the original value. Dotted half = 3 beats, dotted quarter = 1½ beats.
- Syllables: a dotted half on its own = ta-a-a. Combined with a shorter note, dotted notes take tam (e.g. tam-ti, tam-ka).
- A tie joins two notes of the same pitch into one continuous note. You say the first note's syllable once and hold it.
- A dotted note and a tie can produce the same duration. The tie is used when the duration crosses the barline.
Keep learning with your teacher
Bring what you have been practicing to your next lesson. We can work on the sound, technique and musical questions together.
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