5. Dotted Notes vs. Staccato Notes
Dotted Notes
We can have a dot to the right of all note and rest values. This dot to the right should not be confused with a dot underneath which would mean staccato (short).
Math and music often interlink. Here’s where our math skills come in. The dot after a note means that it is a dotted note. To figure out the length of a dotted note, we add on half of the value of the original note. The same applies to rests.
Staccato Notes
The dot underneath or over means the note is played staccato or short. Although it is played shorter, the note will still take up the rest of its length. This way it only sounds shorter.
This is a very important concept that is difficult to explain on paper. To better understand this, check out the staccato technique post under the piano technique tag and category and give the exercises a go.
