sixty-fourth note: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (music)
Quick answer
What does “sixty-fourth note” mean?
A note in musical notation with the time value of one sixty-fourth of a whole note.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A note in musical notation with the time value of one sixty-fourth of a whole note.
The shortest note value commonly found in printed music, used for extremely rapid passages in advanced compositions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK term is 'hemidemisemiquaver' (formal) or 'sixty-fourth note' (borrowed from US). US exclusively uses 'sixty-fourth note'.
Connotations
In UK, 'hemidemisemiquaver' sounds formal/historical; 'sixty-fourth note' sounds modern/imported. In US, term is neutral technical.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in advanced musical scores/discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sixty-fourth note” in a Sentence
a [sixty-fourth note] restequal to [two] sixty-fourth notesplayed as [rapid] sixty-fourth notesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Music theory analysis of Baroque or Romantic-era ornamentation.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise rhythmic notation in classical/contemporary music scores.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sixty-fourth note”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sixty-fourth note”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixty-fourth note”
- Misspelling as '64th note' in formal writing
- Confusing with thirty-second note
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the term is standard in American English music notation; British English traditionally uses 'hemidemisemiquaver' though 'sixty-fourth note' is understood.
Sixteen sixty-fourth notes equal one quarter note (since 1/64 × 16 = 1/4).
It resembles a small, filled-in rectangle with four flags (or a beam connecting multiple notes).
In advanced classical, jazz, or contemporary music for extremely fast ornamental passages, trills, or complex rhythmic subdivisions.
A note in musical notation with the time value of one sixty-fourth of a whole note.
Sixty-fourth note is usually technical (music) in register.
Sixty-fourth note: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪkstiˈfɔːθ nəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪkstiˌfɔrθ noʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: '64th note' = 64 of these fit in one whole note → extremely short.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (note occupies minimal temporal 'space' on staff).
Practice
Quiz
A sixty-fourth note is equivalent to: