A Dot increases the length of a note by half its value. For instance a dotted half note is three beats long. Two beats for the half note and one beat (half the value of the half note) for the dot.
| 𝅗𝅥 | + | . | = | 𝅗𝅥. |
| 2 | + | 1 | = | 3 |
A dotted quarter note would be 1 beat plus ½ beat (half of 1 beat) which equals 1 ½ beats.
| 𝅘𝅥 | + | . | = | 𝅘𝅥. |
| 1 | + | ½ | = | 1 ½ |
For a review of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes see Introducing Simple Rhythms and Eighth Notes.
Another way to understand dotted notes is to compare them to tied notes of the same value. For example, a dotted half is the same length as a half tied to an quarter, because a quarter represents ½ of a half note in length.
And a dotted quarter is the same as a quarter tied to an eighth
In both cases the dotted method is the correct way to write the rhythm with one exception: when the dotted quarter crosses from beat 2 to beat 3 in common time. In that case the correct method is to use the tie so that the 3rd beat can be clearly seen.
Incorrect: 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥. 𝅘𝅥
Correct: 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥
To review Ties see Ties.
Notice that beats 2 and 3 are in parentheses because the note is still sounding.
| 1 (2) (3) | 4 | |
| play_circle | 𝅗𝅥. | 𝅘𝅥 𝄂 |
Notice that beat 2 is in parentheses because the note is still sounding.
| 1 | (2) | & | 3 | 4 | |
| play_circle | 𝅘𝅥. | | 𝅘𝅥 | 𝅘𝅥 𝄂 |
To help feel the beat when there is a dot, you can sing the vowel for the note that the dot represents. So in this example the dot represents a quarter note, so just add another "a" to to the half note.
| play_circle | 𝅗𝅥. | 𝅘𝅥 𝄂 |
| Ta-a-a | ta |
In this example the dot represents an eighth note, so add an "i" to the quarter note.
| play_circle | 𝅘𝅥. | | 𝅘𝅥 | 𝅘𝅥 𝄂 | |
| Ta- | i | ti | ta | ta |