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A dotted noted is really simple to understand. A dot after a note simply increases the duration of the basic note by half of its original value. It is equivalent to writing the basic note tied to a note of half its value. There are various types of dotted notes, including dotted whole notes and dotted quarter notes. Any note can be dotted and as a result have its value increased by half its original duration.
You first of all need to know the duration of the original note. Ahalf note lasts for two beats. So how many beats would a dotted half note last for? The answer is three beats. 2 beats plus half the value of 2 beats (1 beat). 2 beats plus 1 beat equals 3 beats. It means that when you come across a dotted 1/2 note, you should count 3 beats. Hold the note for its own length, plus half of its original length.
You can think of a dotted half note as equal to the length of one half note tied to a quarter note, or as three quarter notes tied together.
In other words, a half note = 2 beats in 4/4 time. Half of that length = 1 beat. 2 beats + 1 beat = 3 beats. Count 1-2 for a half note, and 1-2-3 for a dotted 1/2 note (dotted minim).
Here’s the dotted 1/2 note in a 3/4 time signature.
A 3/4 time signature means that there are 3 beats in a measure. In the first measure, there are three quarter notes. Each note lasts for one beat. In the second measure, we play the note on beat one and hold it down for three beats. Try this on your piano.
Much more information on musical notes and rests here.
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