Essential Music Theory How to read music
Essential Music Theory How to read music
A dot after a note increases its value by a half (50%). Figure 16 shows is a half note which we know is worth 2 beats (note the rests which complete the 4 beats in the bar in each clef).
Figure 16. Half note (Enlarge)
If we place a dot after a half note it is now worth 3 beats
Half note = 2 beats
The dot = a half of a half note = 1 beat
Therefore, a dotted half note = 2 + 1 = 3 beats
(Note that this leaves a one beat/quarter note/crotchet rest in the treble clef to complete the 4 beats in the bar.)
Figure 17. Dotted half note (Enlarge)
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