mere copists), and (2) the correct placing of these in the measure. The bare duration of a note, its merely arithmetical value, can generally be expressed in more ways than one. But this is not sufficient. That way must be selected which represents its rhythm, its correct accentuation, to the eye. Simple forms of time, as distinct from Compound, contain but few pitfalls, and even an inexperienced writer is not likely to go far wrong.
9.—It may be as well to warn such an one, however, that it is not nowadays customary to dot an unaccented note or rest. The dot in this case would represent the succeeding accented beat, and not represent it nearly as significantly as does a tied note or separate rest; compare a and b, Fig. 5.
(a)
Not good.
![\relative c'' { \override Score.Clef #'stencil = ##f \time 4/4 \numericTimeSignature g4 a4. b8[ c d ] | g,4 r4. b8[ c d ] }](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/e/q/eq6ve6cls2l6deq3pvbi6qbfcbrelnx/eq6ve6cl.png){kind=small}
(b)
Good.
![\relative c'' { \override Score.Clef #'stencil = ##f \time 4/4 \numericTimeSignature g4 a4~ a8[ b c d ] | g,4 r4 r8 b8[ c d ]}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/0/9/09k9ria0wnaw98hltn6fb6fiuipxbh9/09k9ria0.png){kind=small}
10.—Tied notes should not be employed where a single note would represent the same sound without misrepresenting the rhythm. Their chief function is to represent durations which cannot be represented by a single character, such as five eighth notes.
