Crotchet
A note lasting one beat in common time, equivalent to a quarter note in American terminology.
Category
rhythm
Pronunciation
/ˈkrɒtʃɪt/
Origin
Old French (croche, hook)
Length
192 words · 1 min read
About Crotchet
The crotchet is one of the most commonly encountered note values in Western music. In 4/4 time, four crotchets fill a complete bar, making it the standard unit of beat in most common-time signatures.
More rhythm terms
Downbeat
View all rhythmterms →The first and strongest beat of a bar, typically where the conductor's baton reaches its lowest point.
QuaverA note lasting half a beat in common time, equivalent to an eighth note in American terminology.
HemiolaA rhythmic device in which two bars of triple time are made to sound like three bars of duple time, or vice versa.
Rubato (rhythm)A flexible approach to tempo in which some beats are slightly lengthened and others shortened for expressive effect.
Dotted NoteA note followed by a dot, which increases its duration by half its original value.
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