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12.3: Dotted Sixteenth Note Patterns

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    258547
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    Sixteenth Notes

    If you need to review common sixteenth note patterns, see 7.1.2: Sixteenth Notes.

    Adding a Dot

    When a dot is added to a note duration, we add half of the value of that note. In the event we are adding a dot to a sixteenth note, we are essentially adding an additional thirty-second note to the duration.

    Sixteenth note split into two thirty-second notes with a dot adding a third thirty-second note

    Reading the Rhythm

    Simple Meter

    In simple meter, we might see the pattern of a dotted sixteenth note followed by a thirty-second note note. When counting, we would produce a sound, clap, or say a syllable on the first thirty-second note of the pattern and the last. If our eighth note is receiving one beat, this would be counted as "1--a" or "ta--mi."

    Dotted sixteenth and a thirty-second note with counts below

    We might also see a pattern of a thirty-second note followed by a dotted sixteenth. When counting, we would produce a sound, clap, or say a syllable on the first thirty second note and the second and then hold for the remainder of the beat. If our eighth note is receiving one beat, this would be counted as "1e--" or "taka--."

    Thirty-second note and dotted sixteenth with counts below

    Compound Meter

    In compound meter, the dotted sixteenth can often be used when the dotted eighth note is our beat unit. We might see this in the meters of 6/16, 9/16, or 12/16.

    In this example of 6/16 meter, we can see the breakdown of two dotted eighth notes in each measure and some of the other common patterns with which you may already be familiar. The bottom line in this example uses dotted sixteenth note within each group of three sixteenth notes beamed together.

    Various rhythms used in 6/16 meter

    Practice Rhythms

    Try using a variety of counting methods.

    Rhythm 1

    Eight measures in 3/8

    Rhythm 2

    Eight measures in 3/8

    Rhythm 3

    Eight measures in 6/16

    Rhythm 4

    Four measures in 12/16


    This page titled 12.3: Dotted Sixteenth Note Patterns is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.

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