* Augmentation dots and tenuto ties are two types of markings used to alter a note's duration.


* A dot increases duration by one half.


* Since an eighth note is half the duration of a quarter note, we will substitute it for the 1/2 symbol.
* As you can see, a dotted quarter note is equal to a quarter note plus an eighth note.


* A dotted quarter can also equal three eighth notes.


* Ties merge multiple notes of the same pitch.
* They are used to let the duration of a note travel across barriers (such as the measure line in this example).


* The fourth and fifth notes are now combined.


* If the measure line were not there, we could have written a half note instead.


* Use this chart for reference to augmentation dots.



Lesson courtesy of MusicTheory.net