Dots and Ties
  • Augmentation dots and tenuto ties are two types of markings used to alter a note's duration.
  • A dot increases duration by one half.
  • Since an eighth note is half the duration of a quarter note, we will substitute it for the 1/2 symbol.
  • As you can see, a dotted quarter note is equal to a quarter note plus an eighth note.
  • A dotted quarter can also equal three eighth notes.
  • Ties merge multiple notes of the same pitch.
  • They are used to let the duration of a note travel across barriers (such as the measure line in this example).
  • The fourth and fifth notes are now combined.
  • If the measure line were not there, we could have written a half note instead.
  • Use this chart for reference to augmentation dots.
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