Course 1: Beginner Piano - Getting started theory and 1st lessons - Module 1 - Section 8 - Dotted Note/Rest Values
Dotted Note/Rest Values
When we encounter notes with a "dot" beside them (to the right side of the note or rest) has a specific result. The note that the dot appears beside is given half its value to it. For example, a whole note has a dot beside it (and is called a "dotted whole note".) Half the value of a whole note is two beats (for a whole note equals four beats) so 4 + 2 = 6.
| Dotted Eighth |
Dotted Quarter |
Dotted Half |
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| 3/4ths of a beats |
1 1/2 beats |
3 Beats |
A "dotted half note" is held for three beats. The half note itself is counted as two beats and the dot is counted as one (because half of two beats is one.) So, 2 + 1 = 3. If the dot appears beside a quarter note, then the "dotted quarter note" is held for a count of one and a half beats (because half of a one beat is a half beat.) A "dotted eighth note" is held for 3/4 of a beat (because 1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4.) This same math (or count) applies to rests as well. I.E. a "dotted quarter note rest" has the same value as a "dotted quarter note".
| A dotted quarter note is worth the same as a quarter note + an eighth note. In 4/4 time, that is equal to 1 1/2 beats. |
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| We count a dotted half note like this: |
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