Understanding Dotted 8th Notes

By Andy GrallBlog

I created this video to help you understand Dotted 8th Notes. Below is an AI summary of the video including timestamps.

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AI Summary of the Video

In this video, Andy from Rosenberg Piano Lessons explains how to understand and count dotted eighth notes (specifically within the context of dotted quarter note rhythms) by using the song “Silent Night” as an example.

Key Concepts Covered

  • Relationship Between Rhythms: Andy emphasizes that rhythm is about understanding the relationships between notes. For instance, a half note is worth two quarter notes, and two eighth notes go into one quarter note [00:32].
  • Counting in 6/4 vs. 3/4 Time: * To simplify the concept, he starts with a 6/4 time signature where there are six beats per measure [00:52]. In this setup, a dotted half note receives three beats [01:28].
    • He then transitions to 3/4 time, which is more standard for “Silent Night” [06:22]. Here, the note values are cut in half: the dotted half note becomes a dotted quarter note [06:46].
  • The Dotted Quarter Note: * A dotted quarter note is worth three eighth notes [06:54].
    • In a 3/4 count (1-and-2-and-3-and), the dotted quarter note takes up “1,” “and,” and “2.” The following eighth note then falls definitively on the “and” after beat 2 [07:33].
  • Subdivision and Mental Counting: * Even if a metronome is only clicking on the main beats (1, 2, 3), the “ands” (eighth note subdivisions) still exist in the space between the clicks [05:42].
    • Andy suggests that if you have trouble placing notes between beats, you can double your metronome speed (e.g., from 60 BPM to 120 BPM) so that the metronome counts the eighth notes for you [12:15].

Practical Advice

The video encourages learners to mentally hear the “1-and-2-and-3-and” subdivision while playing, even if the metronome or the music doesn’t explicitly play every subdivision [11:40].