Course 1: Beginner Piano - Getting started theory and 1st lessons - Module 1 - Section 6 - Types of Notes

Types of Notes

Types of Notes Fullscreen

Anatomy of a Note

Sixteenth Note	Eighth Note	Quarter Note	Half note	Whole Note
1/4 Beat	1/2 Beat	1 Beat	2 Beats	4 Beats

For now we will introduce five types of notes (to avoid confusion.) The first note we will examine is the "whole note". This note with no note "stem" and appears as a clear oval on either lines or spaces. This note is played and held (or sustained) for four beats then released. The next note is called a "half note" because it is held for half the duration (or count) of the whole note. It looks like a whole note but with a stem connected to it and is held for a count of two beats. The "quarter note" looks like a half note but is completely filled in (all black) and has a stem. This note is held for only one beat. The "Eighth Notes" look like a quarter note but the two stems are joined by one line touching the top of the stems. These notes are held for half the time (or count) of the quarter note (so there are two per beat.) Lastly, the "Sixteenth Notes" are held for one fourth of a quarter notes (or there's four sixteenths to every quarter note.) These resemble eighth notes except their stems are joined by two lines at the top of the stems.