The_Complete_Idiot%27s_Guide_To_Music_Theory

86
Part 2: Rhythms
Tip
You can also use
note repeats on dotted
notes. When
you put a single
slash on a dotted note,
you play three notes of the
next-higher value; when
you put a double slash on
a dotted note, you play
six notes of the secondhigher
value.
Note repeats are indicated by drawing slash notes through the main note. One
slash mark means play two notes in a row; each equal to half the value of the
original note. For example, if you draw a single slash through a quarter note,
you play two eighth notes; a single slash through an eighth note means you play
two sixteenth notes.
Two slash marks means you play four notes in a row; each equal to one quarter
the value of the original note. For example, if you draw a double slash through
a quarter note, you play four sixteenth notes; a double slash through an eighth
note means you play four thirty-second notes. The following table indicates
some common note repeat values.
Note Repeat Markings
Marking Equals …
Repeating Rests
There’s one last bit of repeat notation you need to know—and it concerns resting;
not playing. In much orchestral music, each individual instrument spends a
lot of time not playing. While the composer could indicate all this inactivity by