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The Dotted Half Note

Home » Piano Notes » 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


A time signature of three quarters 3/4. A dotted half note.

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.

A rhythmic pattern with a dotted half note.

another rhythmic pattern with a dotted half note.

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.

A dotted half note.

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.

Name of the PiecePdf fileAudio File
Aloutte Download
Big Ben Chimes Download
Super Star Download
Smile Download

Piano by Numbers, a beginner method written in finger numbers

Play a real piece without reading a note

Everything on this site is free and stays free. The one thing I sell answers a question I kept being asked: can I sit down and play something real before I learn to read music.

Piano by Numbers is the method, both levels, written in finger numbers over a picture of the keyboard instead of notation. Ninety three printable practice sheets come with it, a bonus book of ten classical pieces, and a player that lights up each key as it sounds. $19, downloaded straight away.

See what is inside › or hear the free player first

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