quarter note

noun

, Music.

quarter note

music a note having the time value of a quarter of a semibreve Also calledcrotchet

First recorded in 1755–65

The suspension may now be a quarter-note, or its rhythmic equivalent.

It should be used only on the second half of a weak beat, and be preceded by a dotted quarter-note.

Quarter note rests should be written exactly in the middle of the stave.

In rapid tempi this is always taken as compound duple measure, a dotted quarter note having a beat.

The first image is from the original 1720 book, showing old-style crotchet (quarter note) rests.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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