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I.15Part I, The Signs of Notation
The Tie
This last lesson of Part 1 shows you how to use ties to write durations that no single note value can express.
5 min6 questionsDanhauser § 63 to 65
The tie is a curved line that joins two notes of the same pitch, and almost always of the same name, whatever their lengths. It tells you to add the value of the second note to the first, so the second note is not played again. We say the notes are tied (§ 63).
First a half note tied to an eighth note, which lasts a half plus an eighth; then two tied whole notes, which last two whole notes.
You can also tie more than two consecutive notes together (§ 64).
The same note held through several ties, including across the bar line.
Why the tie is essential
Why does it matter so much? The tie gives you durations that cannot be written with note values, dots and triplets alone (§ 65), for example five eighth notes, or a note that carries over the bar line. Without it, a note could never continue from one measure into the next.
On the left, the pitch stays the same, so you hold it. On the right, the pitches are different, so you connect the phrase.
Exercisein the method's spirit
Using tied notes, write durations equal to: five eighth notes; three whole notes and a half note; a half note, an eighth note and a sixteenth note; two whole notes and three eighth notes.
Solution
For five eighth notes, tie a half note to an eighth note. For three whole notes and a half note, tie three whole notes together, then tie them to a half note. For a half, an eighth and a sixteenth, tie three notes together, or tie a half note to a dotted eighth note. For two whole notes and three eighth notes, tie two whole notes to a dotted quarter note.
Exercisein the method's spirit
Let's review Part 1. On a page of music, find every sign you have studied: the staff, the clefs, note values, rests, accidentals, dots, triplets and ties.
Solution
This is an observation exercise. For each sign, say its name and its value or effect, and if you hesitate, go back to the matching lesson.
That completes Part 1. Next, we'll open Part 2 with the diatonic scale and its whole steps and half steps. Before that, try the quiz.
Check your understanding
6 questions
1.
A tie joins two notes:
2.
What happens to the second of two tied notes?
3.
What duration does this notation express?
4.
How do you write a single sound lasting five eighth notes?
5.
Can you tie more than two notes?
6.
A curve connecting C, D, E, F is:
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