Last Updated on 21 August 2023 by Victoria Williams
What are Dotted Notes?
Notes and rests can have their lengths increased if we add one or more dots.
For Grade 1 ABRSM music theory, you only need to understand what happens when we add one dot. Notes with dots next to them are called dotted notes.
(For Grade 1 Trinity, you’ll only be tested on dotted minims (dotted half notes). At Grade 2 Trinity dotted crotchets (dotted quarter notes) are introduced.
Dots are always placed on the right-hand side of the note head.
A dot makes a note (or rest) longer by 50%. Or, in other words, a dotted note is equal to itself, plus half of itself.
Normally, a crotchet (quarter note) is worth one beat.
Crotchet (quarter note) = 1 beat
If we add a dot to the note, its length is increased by 50% (the note plus half its length).
Dotted crotchet (quarter note) = 1 + 1/2 beat = 1.5 beats
A minim (half note) is worth two beats.
If we add a dot, its length is also increased by 50%.
Dotted minim/half note = 2 + 1 = 3 beats
A quaver (eighth note) is worth half a beat.
Adding a dot increases its length by 50%.
Dotted Notes Exercises
Hover your mouse over the question to reveal the answers (tap on mobile devices).
1.
2. Write one dotted note which is equal in length to the given notes.
3. Write one note (dotted or undotted) which is equal in length to the given notes.
