A Dot on the Music Note
Have you ever seen a dot on a music note? It may look small and insignificant, but it can make a big difference in how you play and interpret music. You need to bear in mind that the position of the dot has a completely different meaning. In this post, you will learn about the meaning of the dot in different positions on a music note.
Above or below the music note
A dot above or below a music note is the symbol of staccato. Staccato means detached and short. You need to play the staccato note separately from one to another. It is a type of articulation which is opposite to legato and affects the way you play the notes. “Legato” means play the notes smoothly.
The staccato dot sticks close to the note head, above the note if the stem is pointing down and below the note if the stem is pointing up.
To play the staccato notes, you need to:
- Play with a short sound.
- Release the note early to leave a silence between the notes.
- Never play the notes smoothly
After the music note
A dot after a music note changes the duration or length of the note. This dot makes the note longer by adding half of its value. For example, a crotchet (quarter note) is worth one beat. A dot next to the crotchet extends half the crotchet beat, which is half a beat. The dot is located at the right side of the note head, and it works the same way on a time rest! It has the exact same function applicable to rest as well! So, do you know the value of the dotted semibreve (dotted whole note)? Yes, it is 6 beats!
Check these images below to understand more about dotted notes.
Conclusion
This blog post only focuses on a single dot, but still the dot on music notes can have different meanings depending on their position. A dot above or below a music note indicates staccato which means play the note short and detached. A dot after a music note indicates a dotted rhythm, which means extending the note by half its value. The dot adds variety to music and help you create different sounds and rhythm. Now that you know the secrets behind the dot, you can play, create, and enjoy music more confidently! What do you think about the dot on music notes? Check out the video below to understand more about the functions of the dot. And don’t forget to check out our other blog posts on music theory and practice. Thank you for reading and happy playing.