Distinguish Sustained Time from Attacks
A tie connects consecutive same-pitch durations into one sustained sound.
About 25 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and a pencil, typed notes or a browser scratch area. Color names can replace colored supplies; drawn figures and timelines can replace performance.
- Complete teaching inputs: Two consecutive same-pitch values lasting 4 and 2 quarter-note beats are joined by a tie. Which event description matches the written notation? Supplied candidates: (A) One onset lasting only 4 beats (B) One onset sustained for 6 beats (C) Two separate onsets with a silent gap (D) Two unrelated pitches sustained for 6 beats.
- Independent check: Two same-pitch durations 2 and2 quarter-note beats are joined by a tie. Which event description matches standard notation? Supplied candidates: (A) One onset lasting only 2 beats (B) One onset sustained for 4 beats (C) Two onsets with a silent gap (D) Two unrelated pitches lasting 4 beats.
Learn the idea
Inspect structure at several time scales. Calculate continuous overlap, connect a declared tonal phrase plan with its ending, distinguish tied durations from repeated onsets and preserve essential dramatic cues through synchronized visible alternatives. A tie connects consecutive same-pitch durations into one sustained sound. Add the durations while retaining one onset, rather than counting each written notehead as a new attack.
Reason through the supplied case: The tie keeps the same sound sustained through both written values, so the event has one onset. Its duration is 4+2=6 quarter-note beats. A slur would instead describe phrasing and would not itself combine those same-pitch durations.
A slur can group phrasing without merging onsets or requiring the same pitch. The notation distinction is conceptual here and does not verify a performed legato technique.
- Read the complete teaching inputs and mark the feature, rule or constraint being tested.
- Compare the model decision with one rejected candidate; state the visible evidence or calculation that distinguishes them.
- Solve the independent check and the three changed-input practice cases before reading feedback.
- Draw two same-pitch values of two beats and one beat joined by a tie, with an onset/duration annotation.
- Check your artifact against these explicit criteria: The plan records one onset sustained for three beats and distinguishes the tie from a phrasing slur.
See the method in action
Two consecutive same-pitch values lasting 4 and 2 quarter-note beats are joined by a tie. Which event description matches the written notation? Supplied candidates: (A) One onset lasting only 4 beats (B) One onset sustained for 6 beats (C) Two separate onsets with a silent gap (D) Two unrelated pitches sustained for 6 beats. Model decision: One onset sustained for 6 beats. The tie keeps the same sound sustained through both written values, so the event has one onset. Its duration is 4+2=6 quarter-note beats. A slur would instead describe phrasing and would not itself combine those same-pitch durations.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- A tie connects consecutive same-pitch durations into one sustained sound.
- A slur can group phrasing without merging onsets or requiring the same pitch.
See the answer and explanation
One onset sustained for 4 beats
A tie joins consecutive same-pitch note values into one sustained sound, so there is one onset and duration 2+2=4. A slur differs: it groups phrasing without necessarily merging attacks or requiring the same pitch.
Take it further
New-input analysis: Two consecutive same-pitch values lasting 4 and 3 quarter-note beats are joined by a tie. Which event description matches the notation? Supplied candidates: (A) One onset lasting only 4 beats (B) One onset sustained for 7 beats (C) Two separate onsets with a silent gap (D) Two unrelated pitches sustained for 7 beats. Expected relationship: One onset sustained for 7 beats. The tie sustains the same pitch across both values rather than restarting it. Duration 4+3=7 beats therefore has one onset. A slur would be a different phrasing instruction and would not itself combine same-pitch durations. Create your own artifact: Draw two same-pitch values of two beats and one beat joined by a tie, with an onset/duration annotation. Completion criteria: The plan records one onset sustained for three beats and distinguishes the tie from a phrasing slur.
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Check the subject sources
- musictheory.net: authored music theory lesson catalog
- National Core Arts Standards: framework and artistic processes
- Open University: Dots and Ties
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.