The duration of a musical note, determined by its shape: whole note (4 beats in 4/4), half note (2), quarter note (1), eighth note (½), sixteenth note (¼).
The modern system of note values emerged from 13th-century mensural notation. Earlier neume notation indicated pitch contour but not duration.
Understanding note value is essential for reading and writing music accurately. Whether you are a beginner learning to read notation or an experienced composer, knowing how this musical element works improves your musicianship.
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