THE DOT

Classical Voice Conservatory- Theory I

REVIEW: DOTTED HALF

NOTE

Rhythm: The Dotted Half Note◦ As you can recall, the Dotted Half Note is exactly how it’s

described: It’s a half note with a dot.

◦ As such, a dotted half note is worth 3 beats or counts.

◦ Remember that the dot is ALWAYS TO THE RIGHT!!! IT IS NEVER ABOVE OR TO THE LEFT!

◦ The fact that the dotted half note is worth three beats is something that we have accepted since we’ve started studying music. But the dot can be added to all kinds of different notes and rests.

◦So the question I put to you all is this: What exactly does the dot do?◦Let’s find out!

DOING THE MATH OF THE

DOT

The Dot and Math

◦What you need to understand is that rhythm is a mathematical component of music. Therefore you need to understand the math.

◦The dot can have a huge effect on rhythm and add great diversity and interest in compositions.

◦As long as you can comprehend basic division of primary numbers, you’ll be fine. :D

◦Let’s start with the dotted half note. How did it manage to become three beats?◦Here’s what we know: A normal half note sanse dot is worth two beats. Do we agree?

2 beats

◦When you add a dot to a half note, the first thing it does is CUT ITS VALUE IN HALF!

1/2

◦So now we ask ourselves: What is half of 2?◦The answer is 1!◦The note equivalent of this answer would be a quarter note.

1/2

◦The next thing the dot does is it TAKES THE HALF AND ADDS IT ON TO THE NOTE!◦So we agreed that half of a half note is a quarter note. ◦So you add the quarter note to the half note, and you get a total of how many beats?

3!

◦You can also tie the half note to a quarter note and rhythmically have the same result.◦Either method is acceptable, however I feel the dot gives a cleaner and clearer look.◦Also, the majority of pieces only use ties when notes need to connect across measures.

◦Now let’s try adding the dot to a quarter note! :D

DOTS AND THE QUARTER NOTE

◦To start understanding the dotted quarter note, we need to recall how many beats a quarter note is worth in the first place.◦If you thought 1 beat, you are correct! :D◦If you didn’t, please come see me during 7th block for assistance. :D

◦Recall that the dot does 2 things:

1: It cuts the value of the note it is attached to in half.

2: It then takes that half and adds it on, thereby giving the note a longer value.

Also keep in mind that the dot can be added to any note.

1 beat

◦Now if there were a dot next to it, we would then ask ourselves, “What is half of 1?”

◦The answer is ½.◦Now do we know of any notes that are worth half of 1 beat?◦Yes we do: The eighth note!

½ a beat

◦Next, we add that eighth note onto the quarter note.

◦So how many beats IS a dotted quarter note worth?

◦The answer is 1 ½ beats!

◦Recall that a quarter note is equal to two eighth notes. When you add a dot to a quarter note, you are adding another ½ of a beat. so a dotted quarter note is equal to a quarter note plus an eighth note, or three eighth notes.

◦Either way, it amounts to 1 ½ beats.

THE END