What does it mean when some notes have arcs connecting them to other notes?

Question

I'm assuming it means to hold that note until you reach the other note it is connected to, but isn't that assumed? I mean, if an arc connects a half-note C to a half-note C, then a half note G is shown (all in one 4/4 measure), isn't it assumed you were going to hold that C for a halfnote anyway? What's the point of that arc?

Answer 1

The symbol is called a tie when it is between two notes of the same pitch within a measure, and a bridge when between two notes of the same pitch crossing from one measure into the next.

When it is between two notes of different pitches, or crossing over several notes of varying pitch, then it is called a slur, and that means that all of the notes are played without stopping, as in a bend, or a legato (slide), as opposed to playing each individual note in rapid succession.

In drum music, you will often find a number written within the arc (an 8 for example) and that tells you the duration of the notes encompassed by the arc. In other words, if there are 5 notes covered by an arc with an 8 in it, then all five notes would occupy the space of an eighth note.

Answer 2

If you don't draw the arc(which does mean to hold the note), and instead place individual notes(which would mean you'd be strike that note multiple times) then you'll change the whole sound of the song. Simply placing a note means to strike it,as indicated, for a 1/4,1/2 or whole note. Drawing the arc means you'd hold that note until the end of the arced time.

Answer 3

If they connect two notes that are different, like an A and a C, there really isn't much to do except hit the C as you take your finger off of the A; don't have a gap of silence between them. If they connect two of the same note, then hold the note for the time of both notes. For example, a half note and an eighth notes, count the time for the half note and keep holding it while you count the time for the eighth note.

Answer 4

you mean the slur, right? if it connects to a note of the same pitch, you add up the counts and hold it for that long. if they are two different notes, on stringed instruments, you keep bowing at the same speed/ direction but changing your fingers/strings. on woodwinds/ brass, keep on blowing, but change your fingers/that long tubular thing on a trombone. on the piano, you dont lift the finger on the note you played before until the other finger hits the 2nd note.
about that C, you are going to hold that to the length of a whole note. some composers just do that, or if they're extending the length of the note into another measure. it's just like asking why do some of them write tremollos and some just waste ink and write repeated notes, some people write eigth notes, then eight rests in between them, when they could have easily wrote quarter notes with staccato instead, or deciding to use repeat signs and D.C. al Fine to save some paper.

Answer 5

The curved lines indicate carrying the note through... When the note is the same pitch it is a tied note. Notes have to be tied together over bar-lines to indicate that you are still holding that note and not re-articulate the note. Notes are also tied to allow the beat to be seen (music has to be written in certain ways). A curved line connecting notes on different pitches is called a slur. Which holds the same purpose... only having one articulation...

Answer 6

Remember, music is an artistic expression that also tries to connote feeling. Ties and slurs help provide notes of any length imagineable and connected in a way that adds "smoothness" to the transition in the notes. There's a different feeling conveyed in unpunctuated notes than in crisply defined notes.

Here's a really good resource...explains it simply.