This is an eighth note. It lasts for half a count. There are eight eighth notes in one bar of * time.
When eighth notes are joined together the tails are replaced by one beam.
Here is a song using eight notes in ^ time as well as * time. Remember to count mentally and tap your foot as you play. Take this one slowly at first.
Here are two more pieces featuring eighth notes. Take them slowly until you can play each one correctly and then gradually increase the speed until you can play along with the recording.
A dot placed above or below a note tells you to play the note staccato. Staccato means to play a note short and separate from other notes. There are two ways to play a note staccato. If you are tonguing the note, make a "dot" sound with your tongue. If you are not tonguing the note, make a "huck" sound with the back of your tongue. Both these methods cut off the flow of air, thus stopping the note short.
Here are two melodies which feature staccato notes.