Dotted Note

A dotted note is a note where half of the note length is added on to the original note, making the note 50% longer.

For example, a dotted half note has a length of 3 beats, whereas the half note on its own would only have 2 beats (in 4:4 time). A dotted whole note has a length of 6 beats, whereas the whole note on its own would only have 4 beats (in 4:4 time).