Mr. Voisin used to quiz his first year students on this. I would say that it meant short. His question was, "How short"?
He showed me this old french music dictionary and as was his custom he would read it to me in French...when I failed to react he would tell me what it meant in English. Then he tested my comphrehnsive skills. Allow me to paraphrase:
How long is a half note with a dot after it?
3 beats
A quarter note with a dot after it?
1 1/2 beats.
So then it seems that a dot means 1/2 value of the note?
Yes.
So the same rule applies to a dot under the note, but it takes away half the value.
Half note with a dot under the note?
1 beat.
quarter note with a dot under the note?
1/2 beat
and so on...
After reading this, I realize this comes off as arrogant. Believe me, this is not my intention. His words were pretty much like this, but his 78 year old French charm was contagious in that room...Pretty much got to laugh through these type of lessons...Boy, is he fun.
Sorry if it is not proper to come in before Manny did...Sorry if that is bad form.
Mike
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