Ties

𝅗𝅥𝅗𝅥 A Tie connects two notes together that are the same pitch so that the pitch is sustained for the length of the two notes together..

For a review of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes see Introducing Simple Rhythms and Eighth Notes.

Ties are used to:

Extend notes over the barline.

play_circle  𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥𝄀  𝅘𝅥 𝄂

Connect notes that cross from a weak beat to a strong beat.

In common time, notes should not cross over from the 2nd to the 3rd beat. Instead, they should be divided using a tie. Notice that this rhythm sounds the same as the previous rhythm, but it is written in a different meter.

play_circle  𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥  𝅘𝅥 𝄂

Create more complex rhythms.

When writing complex rhythms it is important to not hide the beats. The use of ties makes this possible.

play_circle    𝅘𝅥 𝄂

This is the same rhythm but it is very hard to read because the beats are hidden.

play_circle  𝅘𝅥  𝅘𝅥 𝄂

Proper use of beams and ties makes rhythms much easier to read.

Counting Rhythms with Ties

Notice that beat 3 is in parentheses because the note is still sounding. The parentheses around these beat number shows where the beat falls in the pattern, even though no note is articulated on those beats.

	1	2	(3)	&	4
play_circle 	𝅘𝅥	𝅘𝅥			𝅘𝅥 𝄂

Speaking Rhythms with Ties

To help feel the beat when there is a tie, you can simply remove the consonant on the note following the tie. So in this example, the ti-ti rhythm on beat 3 can be sung as i-ti to show that we don't actually articulate the eighth note on the 3rd beat

play_circle 	𝅘𝅥	𝅘𝅥			𝅘𝅥 𝄂
	ta	ta-	i	ti	ta

play_circle  𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle   𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle   𝄂

play_circle  𝅘𝅥  𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle   𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle  𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle   𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle     𝄂

play_circle     𝅘𝅥 𝄂

play_circle        𝄂