* The length of time that a note is played is called its note duration, which is determined by the type of note.


* The whole note has the longest note duration in modern music.


* The half note has half the duration of a whole note.


* Two half notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note.


* The quarter note is a fourth (or a quarter) of a whole note.


* Four quarter notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note. Two quarter notes equal the duration of a half note.


* Notes smaller in duration than a quarter note have flags. Each flag halves the value of a note.


* An eighth note has one flag.


* Therefore, two eighth notes occupy the same amount of time as one quarter note.


* A sixteenth note has two flags, halving the value again.


* Two sixteenth notes equal the duration of an eighth note.


* Four sixteenth notes occupy the same amount of time as one quarter note.


* Although it is possible to have notes with three or more flags, they are seldomly used.


* This chart displays the relationship of all five note types discussed in this lesson.




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