demiquaver
Definition
- Noun (Music):
- A "demiquaver" is a note in musical notation that has the time value of half a quaver. It is represented by a filled-in note head with a stem and two flags (or beams in groups). In modern usage, it is equivalent to a sixteenth note (semiquaver).
Usage Examples
- (The musician must perform very short, fast notes.)
- (This describes the visual representation of the note.)
Advanced Usage
"Demiquaver rest": A rest symbol that indicates a silence of the same duration as a demiquaver (i.e., half a quaver rest).
- The composer inserted a demiquaver rest to create a brief pause in the melody. (A short silence matching the note's length.)
"Demiquaver triplet": A group of three demiquavers played in the time normally taken by two demiquavers, creating a rhythmic division.
- The demiquaver triplet adds a syncopated feel to the bar. (A rhythmic pattern of three short notes.)
Variants and Related Words
- Demiquaver (n): the primary term; historically also called a "semiquaver" in modern British terminology.
- Demiquaver note: redundant phrase sometimes used for clarity.
Synonyms
- Semiquaver (n): the modern British term for a sixteenth note, identical in value to a demiquaver.
- Sixteenth note (n): the American English term for a note with the same duration.
Related Idioms
- "As fast as demiquavers": a figurative expression meaning extremely quickly or at a very fast pace.
- Her fingers moved as fast as demiquavers across the keyboard. (Her hands moved with great speed and precision.)