Music Notation

[Megan]

I'm not sure what the crossed through A quaver note means. How should I
play it ?


Thanks.

[Peter]

That's the acciaccatura or 'crushed note' - it's played very quickly and lightly on the first beat (with the left hand G) almost at the same time as the note that follows.

[Megan]

Thank you Peter. Gosh, I should have learned Italian!

[Quijote]

Regarding the acciaccatura, some naughty pianists play it at the same time as the main note (creating a sounded minor/major second), immediately releasing the "crushed note". This "dodge" obviously works best in fast tempos.
I await an outraged response from Peter ...

[Peter]

No outrage - you're right which is why I qualified my definition as 'almost' at the same time, but there are exceptions and as you say in fast tempo it works well to strike together immediately releasing the crushed note such as in the finale of Beethoven's Op.81a. However in the Schubert Moments musicaux no.3, the grace notes work best before the main beat.