Introducing Tied Notes

Now we're ready to look at tied notes. When two notes of the same pitch are joined by a curved line, they are tied together. This means that the second note is not played. Instead, the first note lasts for the combined length of both notes.

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Listen to track 9 and play the above eighth-note rhythm pattern while counting along. Notice that the C on the “and” of 4 in the first measure, lasts right up until the start of beat 2 in the second measure. In other words, this tied note lasts for one-and-a-half beats.

The previous example shows the most common situation where a tie is needed in the music: when the note length is longer than the remaining number of beats in the measure. In this case, the last C in the first measure falls on the “and” of 4 (so there is only half a beat left in the measure) and yet we need the note to last for one-and-a-half beats. So, tying across the bar line to the quarter note in the next measure neatly solves this problem.

In the next example, we have a tied note on the “and” of 2, receiving a total duration of one and a half beats. We also have a tied note on beat 4, which lasts for two beats. Remember not to play the second note in tied notes—just hold it!

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Try playing and counting the above example, and then listen to track 10 to see if you got it right. Listen one more time while playing along.

“But wait!” I hear you cry, “Why did we need that first tie! Couldn't we have just used a dotted quarter note (which lasts for one-and-a-half beats) starting on the ‘and' of 2 in the first measure? There's no bar line anywhere in sight!” Whoa, calm down a minute! The reason we did it this way is to show the start of beat 3. That is to say, whether or not we are actually playing on beat 3, it is very good practice and courtesy to show a note or rest right on the beat when the note begins in between the beat. This greatly aids sight-reading, as we can then quickly scan through the music and pick out beats 1 and 3 (sometimes called the primary beats) in 4/4 time. If you're ever preparing charts for other musicians, maybe to demo or perform your own songs, they will definitely appreciate it if you do this!