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Rhythmic Values

Notice that for every note value, there is a rest that lasts the same amount of time. Rests indicate silence in the music.

One element that is missing from the chart is the DOT.

A dot placed after a note increases the note value by one half the original note value.

SO: a dotted quarter note lasts one and a half quarter notes, or a quarter note plus an eighth note.

A TIE is a curved line that connects two notes. You add the value of the two notes to get the new note value.

A half note TIED to a quarter note would last three beats. (Two for the half note and one for the quarter note).

Note that rhythmic values are not an indication of speed or tempo. A whole note may last a long time in a slow tempo, or a very short time in a fast tempo.

Tempo describes how fast or slow the beat or pulse in the music moves.

Often Italian terms are used for tempos.

TABLE of BASIC TEMPO MARKINGS

Taken from Gardner Read's book, Music Notation, A Manual of Modern Practice

Italian Term English Definition Corresponding Metronome Marking
Larghissimo
Adagissimo
Lentissimo
Extremely Slow 40
Largo
Adagio
Lento
Very slow 40
Larghetto
Adagietto
Fairly slow 40
Andante
Andantino
Moderately slow 60
Moderato Moderately 60
Allegretto Fairly fast 60
Allegro Fast, Quick 120
Vivace
Vivo
Presto
Quite fast 120
Allegrissimo
Vivacissimo
Prestissimo
Very fast 208

 

 

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