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Rhythmic

Notation

Charts

Dotted Values

Like rests, dotted note values change the steady flow of rhythmic pulses. Dotted values also help enliven compositions by increasing the rhythmic variety of the music.

Dotted Notes

When a dot (".") is added after a note value, the performer will hold that note for its full value plus 50%. For example, we know that one half note equals two quarter notes. Therefore, one dotted half note equals three quarter notes:

Similarly, since one quarter note equals two eighth notes, one dotted quarter note equals three eighth notes:

If you're tapping out the beat of a piece of music, you'll notice that the dotted note that starts on one beat will hold over past the beginning of the next beat:

Dotted Rests

A dot after a rest value has a similar effect to a dot after a note value. It instructs the performer to hold that rest for its full value plus 50%.

For example, we know that one half rest equals two quarter rests. Therefore, one dotted half rest equals three quarter rests:

Similarly, since one quarter rest equals two eighth rests, one dotted quarter rest equals three eighth rests: