The Dotted Eighth Note
In Lesson 4 (Book One) you were introduced to the dot which, when placed after a note, increases that note by half of its value. Thus the dotted eighth note is worth ¾ of a beat.
A very common rhythm figure is the combination of a dotted eighth note with a sixteenth note. Observe the count, written beneath this grouping.
The following D major scale exercise uses the dotted eighth note/sixteenth note combination.
*When writing the D major key signature, you must always place the F# before the C#.
Muss i’ Denn and Tramp Tramp Tramp are both in the key of D major and use the dotted eighth note/sixteenth note combination. Be careful to observe the sharps of the key signature, especially the "new" C#.
Habanera features a key change from D minor (bars 1 — 9) to D major (bars 10 — 25), referred to as a tonic modulation. Note the change of key signature from Bb (for D minor) to F# and C# (for D major).
Be careful with the first and second endings. You should always check through a piece before you play it, taking note of the endings, the time signature, the key signature etc.
