Chapter 3: Simple Meter—ties and dotted quarter notes
About This Chapter
About This Chapter: In this chapter, we’ll return to simple meter, but with some new rhythmic elements—ties and dots.
A tie is a curved line that connects two noteheads.* By connecting the noteheads, it combines their rhythmic values. So in measure 2 of the example below, the quarter note on beat 1 of the measure and the eighth note on beat 2 are combined, which means that we should sustain the rhythmic syllable “1” for the duration of one quarter note plus one eighth note.
We’ve already seen dotted half notes in Chapter 1. Remember that a dotted half note has the value of one half note plushalf of that value (a quarter note). In this chapter, we’ll begin to see dotted quarter notes as well. The dot indicates to add half the value of the note, so in the case of a dotted quarter note, we need to sustain for one quarter note plus half of that value (an eighth note). In the above example, you might notice that measures 2 and 3 sound identical despite being notated in different ways (with ties in measure 2 and with dots in measure 3).
*Not to be confused with a slur, which is also a curved line, but is used to indicate legato articulation or phrasing. How can you tell them apart? A tie can only be used on successive notes that are the same pitch. A slur, on the other hand, can be used on notes that are not the same pitch. Slurs also often cover longer spans of music.
Section A—Ties
Demonstration
Video demonstration coming soon!
Demonstration A:
Practice
Practice A:
Practice by performing along with this audio file, which features a metronome click and the notated rhythm. You will hear one measure of wood block to establish the tempo before the exercise begins.
Next, try performing along with this audio file, which features the notated rhythm but no metronome click. You will hear one measure of wood block to establish the tempo before the exercise begins.
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Section B—Dotted quarter notes
Demonstration
Video demonstration coming soon!
Demonstration B:
Practice
Practice B:
Practice by performing along with this audio file, which features a metronome click and the notated rhythm. You will hear one measure of wood block to establish the tempo before the exercise begins.
Next, try performing along with this audio file, which features the notated rhythm but no metronome click. You will hear one measure of wood block to establish the tempo before the exercise begins.
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Section C—More ties and dotted quarter notes
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Section D—Two-part rhythms featuring ties and dotted quarter notes
Demonstration D
Video demonstration coming soon!
Demonstration D:
Practice
Practice D:
Practice by performing along with this audio file. You will hear one measure of wood block to establish the tempo before the exercise begins.
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Rhythmic Cells
- For general suggestions on how to use these rhythmic cells, see Appendix: How to Use Rhythmic Cells.
- Try combining the cells that end with ties with other cells, sustaining the tied note into the beginning of the next cell.
Rhythm in Context
In her SATB choral piece, “Lockung,” Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805–1847) incorporates both dots and ties. You can hear the piece in the YouTube video below. Underneath that, you can see the score for the soprano part for measures 1–13. As you listen, try performing along in one or more of the following ways:
- Speak the rhythm on a neutral syllable
- Speak the rhythm on the German text
- Speak the rhythm on rhythmic syllables
Citations
Poem:
- Olivia Ward Bush-Baker (1869–1944), “The Plains of Peace,” public domain. From Driftwood, published 1914, Atlantic Printing Co., Providence, RI.
Psalm:
- Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Rhythm in Context:
- Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805–1847), “Lockung” from Gartenlieder, op. 3, no. 1, published 1846.
