Playing Dotted Quarters

Playing dotted quarter notes can be challenging at first, mainly because it requires the performer to be able to mentally subdivide the dotted quarter into eighth notes. Consequently, this lesson is focused on becoming comfortable with performing dotted quarters, and specifically performing one of the most common rhythms associated with dotted quarters: a dotted quarter followed by an eighth note. For example, the excerpt above, from the fourth movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, the lovely "Ode to Joy" melody ends with that rhythm (you might recognize it if you hit the play button above).

First, let's review how the dot works: a dot extends a note by half. A dotted half, normally worth two quarters, becomes worth three, likewise a dotted quarter, normally worth two eighths, becomes worth three eighths. This process is the same for all durations that are given a dot. While that may make logical sense, actually performing dotted rhythms when you encounter them takes practice, so let's get started!