Final answer:
A dotted note or rest in music notation indicates an extended duration of the note or rest, increasing the original value by half. For example, a dotted quarter note would be one and a half beats long. This system allows for rhythmic variety in composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dotted note (or rest) in music notation indicates an extended duration of the note or rest. When a note or rest is dotted, the duration of that note or rest is increased by half of its original value. For example, if a quarter note (crotchet) is normally worth one beat, then a dotted quarter note would be worth one and a half beats. This means that the dotted note holds the sound for longer than the original note would without the dot.
The dot adds an element of rhythmic variety to the music, allowing composers to use a mix of note lengths that would not be possible using just the basic notes. Understanding how to read and perform dotted notes is essential for interpreting the rhythms of a piece accurately.
It is important to note that the ability to identify musical notes just by listening, referred to as perfect pitch or absolute pitch, is unrelated to reading dotted notes but is a useful skill for musicians in tuning their instruments and singing accurate pitches without external reference.