Definition

1. Noun:
   • A musical note having the time value of a quarter of a whole note: In musical notation, a quarter note is a note that is held for one quarter of the duration of a whole note (or semibreve). It is typically represented by a solid oval note head with a straight, vertical stem.

Usage

• The quarter note is a fundamental unit of rhythm in much Western music.
• It is often used as the basic beat in time signatures like 4/4.
• When counting rhythms, a quarter note typically receives one beat.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The melody begins with four quarter notes.
  • In this exercise, clap on every quarter note.
  • A measure in 4/4 time can contain four quarter notes.

Advanced Usage

• "Dotted quarter note": A quarter note with a dot placed after it, which increases its duration by half of its original value. A dotted quarter note is held for the length of three eighth notes.
  • The rhythm features a dotted quarter note followed by an eighth note.

Variants and Related Words

• Half note (n): A note having the time value of half of a whole note.
• Eighth note (n): A note having the time value of one eighth of a whole note.
• Whole note (n): A note having the longest standard duration in musical notation.
• Crotchet (n): The British English term for a quarter note.

Synonyms

• Crotchet: (Chiefly British) The equivalent term for a quarter note.

Related Phrases

• Quarter rest: A rest or silence having the same time value as a quarter note.
  • The bar has two quarter notes and a quarter rest.

Noun

1. a musical note having the time value of a quarter of a whole note