<P> A quarter note ( American ) or crotchet ( British , from the sense ' hook ' ) is a note played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note ( or semibreve ) . Often , musicians will say that a crotchet is one beat , but this is not always correct , as the beat is indicated by the time signature of the music ; a quarter note may or may not be the beat . Quarter notes are notated with a filled - in oval note head and a straight , flagless stem . The stem usually points upwards if it is below the middle line of the stave or downwards if it is on or above the middle line . However , the stem direction may differentiate more than one part . The head of the note also reverses its orientation in relation to the stem . ( See image . ) </P>
<P> A quarter note ( American ) or crotchet ( British , from the sense ' hook ' ) is a note played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note ( or semibreve ) . Often , musicians will say that a crotchet is one beat , but this is not always correct , as the beat is indicated by the time signature of the music ; a quarter note may or may not be the beat . Quarter notes are notated with a filled - in oval note head and a straight , flagless stem . The stem usually points upwards if it is below the middle line of the stave or downwards if it is on or above the middle line . However , the stem direction may differentiate more than one part . The head of the note also reverses its orientation in relation to the stem . ( See image . ) </P>
why is a crotchet called a quarter note
why is a crotchet called a quarter note
played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note
played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note