quarter note

American  

noun

Music.

1. a note equivalent to one fourth of a whole note; a crotchet.

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quarter note British  

noun

1. Also called: crotchet.  music a note having the time value of a quarter of a semibreve

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Etymology

Origin of quarter note

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

In the score, he instructed the soloist and orchestra to play very softly and at an unhurried tempo of thirty-six quarter notes per minute.

From New York Times

An instructor quizzed them about quarter notes and helped them identify low- and high-pitched sounds.

From Seattle Times

The rhythm section plays quarter notes, laying a clear foundation for the swing feel that permeates this track.

From New York Times

For example, in a 2/4 time signature, there are two beats in a measure with the quarter note receiving one beat or one count.

From Literature

Figure 1.39: Note lengths work just like fractions in arithmetic: two half notes or four quarter notes last the same amount of time as one whole note.

From Literature