Name:…………………………………………… Date:…………………..

Homework – Tied and Dotted notes

Sometimes it is necessary to write notes that have an usual time value or go over a bar line. This is achieved by joining different notes (of the same pitch) together using ties (curved lines) to create one note that lasts as long as all the tied notes together. This technique is also used when a note starts in one bar but has to keep sounding in the next bar. The tie is drawn between the two note heads and goes in the opposite direction to the note stems (e.g. the tie curves upward if the stems are going down).

Correct Incorrect In this example a tie has been used because the note goes over the bar line. The 3rd note (G) is played once and held for 2 beats.

In this example a tie has been used to create a note length that could be written any other way. The 1st note (E) is held for 2 ½ beats – the length of the minim and the quaver joined together.

Dots are written after notes and rests to make them half as long again. For example a dotted minim would last for 3 beats – 2 beats for the minim and then half as much (1 beat) again. This could achieved using ties but dotted notes are quicker to write and easier to read.

3 beats 1 ½ beats ¾ beat 3 beats 1 ½ beats ¾ beat Be careful to make sure the dot is written just after the note (or rest) and at the same level as the note head. If the note is on a line then use the space above. Dots in other places have different meanings.

Exercise 1 Add ties where you can to these pieces of music and then write the total number of crotchet beats the tied notes are worth.

1 ½ beats

beats

beats

Exercise 2 How long does each note last? Remember to check both note values! The first one is completed as an example.

A lasts as long as ____ . A lasts as long as _____ .

A lasts as long as ____ . A lasts as long as ____ .

Exercise 3 Add dots where necessary to make the bars complete. The note values should add up to the top number of the time signature.

Exercise 4 Add the missing bar-lines.

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