semiquaver

Semiquaver is a note value used in Western musical notation. In British terminology it denotes one sixteenth of a whole note, or equivalently one quarter of a beat in common time (4/4). In American usage the same duration is called a sixteenth note. The semiquaver sits between the quaver (eighth note) and the demisemiquaver (thirty-second note) in the sequence of note subdivisions.

Notation and value: a semiquaver is a filled note head with a stem and two flags; when grouped in rhythmic figures, the flags are typically shown as two beams connecting the stems. When notated in groups, semiquavers are often beamed to indicate their subdivision within a beat.

Usage and context: semiquavers are common in many musical styles, especially in faster passages or intricate rhythmic figures such as scales, arpeggios, and motifs that require finer subdivision. They can appear in various meters and can be combined with dots, rests, triplets, or ties to create expressive rhythms or contrapuntal textures.

Etymology and terminology: the term semiquaver derives from semi- meaning half and quaver meaning eighth note, reflecting that it is half the length of an eighth note. In some regions the term is spelled semi-quaver, while the longer British form for 1/32 is demisemiquaver. In American usage the term sixteenth note is used instead of semiquaver.

See also: sixteenth note, demisemiquaver, musical duration, note values.