Sight Reading 101
Triplets and Dotted Notes & Rests
Triplets:
A triplet is taking 3 notes of the same value and playing them evenly over
the space of time usually given to 2 notes of that same value.
Example 1:
A quarter-note triplet would be three quarter notes
played in an even timing over 2 beats (the time usually given to only 2 quarter notes).
Example 2:
A half-note triplet would be three half notes
played in an even timing over 4 beats (the time usually given to only 2 half notes).
Triplets are easy to recognize on
the staff because they will have a horizontal bracket with the number "3" grouping the three notes,
rests or a combination of both.
Examples of triplets:
Half-Note Triplets:
Quarter-Note Triplets:
Eighth-Note Triplets:
Sixteenth-Note Triplets:
Dotted Notes & Rests:
Often, when reading music, you'll come across a note immediately followed by a small dot. The dot
signifies that the preceding note is equal to the sum of it's own value, plus half it's value.
Not
only can notes have a dot, but also rests may be dotted as well. The dot signifies the same thing for
a rest as it does for the note. A dotted rest would equal the sum of it's own value, plus half it's value.
Example 1:
A dotted half note would equal three beats; the sum of it's value (two beats) plus half
it's value (one beat).
Example 2:
A dotted quarter note would equal one and a half beats; the sum of it's value (one beat) plus half
it's value (half of a beat).
Examples of Dotted Notes & Rests:
A Dotted Half Note:
A Dotted Quarter Note:
A Dotted Quarter Rest:
Course Map:
Introduction |
Course Directory |
The Staff |
Lines, Spaces and Ledger Lines |
Flash Cards I: Learning the Notes |
The Fret Board |
Reading Exercises On Each String |
Note and Rest Values |
Time Signatures |
Rhythm Exercises, Part I |
Triplets and Dotted Notes & Rests |
Rhythm Exercises, Part II |
Flash Cards II: Rhythm Values |
Ties |
Rhythm Exercises, Part III |
Simple Melodies |
Course Conclusion
Glossary of Terms
Copyright 1999 T.A. Vieira, Jr.