Meaning of Dot in Music
In music notation, a dot placed after a note or rest has a specific meaning. The dot increases the duration of the note or rest by half of its original value. This means that a dotted note is equivalent to writing the basic note tied to a note of half the value. For example, a dotted half note is equivalent to a half note tied to a quarter note.
The use of dotted notes in music notation dates back at least to the 10th century. In modern practice, the first dot increases the duration of the basic note by half of its original value. Subsequent dots add progressively halved value. For instance, a double-dotted note represents half the value of the first dot, or a quarter of the original duration.
It's important to note that the dot can also have other meanings in music notation, depending on the context. For example, a dot placed above or below a note can indicate that it should be played staccato, meaning short and detached. Additionally, in some specific musical scores, symbols like a V with a dot or a left-side dot may have different meanings, but these are less common and context-dependent.
Overall, the dot in music notation primarily serves to increase the duration of a note or rest by half of its original value.
1. A mark that represents a duration directive in musical notation. When placed to the right of the notehead, the dot indicates that a note should have half again its original duration. For example, if a dot is placed to the right of a half note, the note would then have the duration of a half note plus a quarter note.
See dotted note; dotted rhythms.
2. A mark that represents an articulation directive in musical notation. When a dot is placed above or below a notehead, it indicates that the note should be played staccato.
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