I know what this “q” code (for lack of a better term) does, I think. It makes a note last longer like a fermata.
I got Dorico to play a fermata, but I can’t recall how I made this work.
Where is “q” and what the generic name of this letter and its ilk so I can look it up in a document? I have found before, but I can’t remember even what this type of object is called. I will put all of this in my notes and hope I can find it when I need it.
It’s a signpost for a hidden tempo mark. By default, tempo changes drawn in the Tempo track aren’t shown in the music (because if these three were shown, it would look rather busy, notationally!)
q is the shorthand for quarter note, that’s the denomination of the metronome mark. Matches what you can enter into the tempo popover for metronome marks.