The Dotted Half Note

So far we discussed the quarter note, the half note and the whole note.
Today I'd like to introduce you to a new time signature and a new tone length, of three quarters

This note is a longer then the half note. It lasts three quarters.

In a four quarters time signature when a dotted half note appears it will be often followed by a quarter note which adds up to four beats in a measure.

1. Clap (or tap) the following rhythm
2. Clap ONCE for each note, counting aloud.

Here's a simple piece on three quarters. Try to play this one.

Let's play a few pieces with a dotted half note; A few in a time signature of three quarters and some in four quarters.

Now that we covered that, I'd like us to learn about musical rests, such as the quarter rest, the half rest, and the whole rest.