Violin Forum/Message Board

[grace]

Okay, that was a weird term but what I want to ask is how do you play those notes which are written like eighth/sixteenth/32nd notes but have white heads?
Plus, they are given twice their (black) value since only 4 eighth notes were written in a common time signature bar. What am i supposed to do with them? Help!

[Shirley]

Hello there, Grace! As no one has attempted to answer you question, I will try...

You are speaking of half-note looking things with slashes across the stems?

I believe that one slash across any note at all, means play eighth notes for the length of that note - e.g, a half not with one slash through the stem would mean play four eighth notes (equals two quarter notes, equals one half note.)

Two slashes means play 16th notes for the duration of the note, and three slashes means, in practice, just play as many notes as you can for the duration of the note (actually 32nd notes) - etc.

Always maintain the proper time signature.

I this clear? I wish someone who really knew about this and could explain it clearly would help here!

You have quite a job there, teaching those kids - good luck!!

Shirley

[grace]

Thanks so much Shirley! I hope I'll manage to masterthose Wohlfahrt pieces before my students get any wiser than me!

[Becky]

Shirley, why are you looking for someone else to answer? You gave a very fine answer Just wanted to confirm that for you in case you were doubting yourself...

[Shirley]

Becky - thank you! I'm never sure I either 1) know something or 2) explain it properly. By the way, I was just thinking that your explanation of the tied notes, in another thread, was succinct and right on - so this give me the opportunity to tell you! Take care - Shirley