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Music Theory 101

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Chapter 1: Music Notation - Part I

D
ots and Ties - A dot placed after a note or rest increases its value by one half.

Fig. 7

Each dotted note (or rest) is equal to two of the next smallest dotted notes, or three of the
next smallest notes without dots.

Fig. 8

Although less frequently used, a second dot adds half the value of the first dot.

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Fig. 9

The length of notes may also be increased by the use of a tie. This is a curved line that
connects notes of the same pitch, and these are performed as one note with the total value
of the notes tied. Ties are not used to connect rests.

Fig. 10

To indicate rests of a duration longer than a measure, needed at times for orchestral parts,
the following symbols may also be found in older publications.

Fig. 11

Today these symbols are seldom found because the preferred way is to use a thick bar with
the number of measures of rest written above it. This is seen very frequently in common
'tablature' for guitar.

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Fig. 12

Back - Rhythm: Note Values and Rests

Next - Meter, Beat, and Tempo

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