- Related Topics:
- beaming
- staff notation
note
note, in the notation of Western music, sign indicating pitch by its position on the staff and showing duration by its shape. The term note may also refer to a tone, the sound either produced by a singer or musical instrument or represented by a pitch name (such as G, or sol), a neume, or a written note.
Notes evolved in the 13th century from neumes, signs indicating relative or absolute pitch and nuance but not necessarily rhythm. The earliest notes were the longa, π·, and brevis, Λ; and their derivatives, the maxima, πΆ, and semibrevis, πΊ. In modern notation the brevis and semibrevis correspond to the double whole note, π , and the whole note, π . Other modern notes, in diminishing time value, are the half note, π ; quarter note, β©; eighth note, βͺ; sixteenth note, π ‘; thirty-second note, π ’; and sixty-fourth note, π £.
- Pitch: A note represents a specific frequency of vibration, generally perceived as high or low. In Western music, pitches are named using the letters A through G and may be modified by accidentals (sharps β― and flats β).
- Duration: Each note has a rhythmic value indicating how long it is held. Common modern note values include whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes, with their relative lengths determined by the time signature.
- Notation: Notes are written on a staff of five lines. Their vertical placement indicates pitch, and their shape (filled or open note head, with or without stems and flags) indicates duration.
- Octaves: The same letter name may occur at different pitch levels called octaves. An octave represents a doubling or halving of frequency.
- Dynamics and articulation: Notes may also carry markings indicating volume (dynamics) and style of execution (e.g., staccato, legato, accent).
- Cultural systems: The organization of notes varies according to musical traditions. Western music, for example, uses a 12-tone chromatic system, whereas other traditions may use microtones or alternative pitch structures.
Generally, Western music notation has favored shorter note values in modern times, reflecting developments in rhythmic complexity, instrumental virtuosity, and printing techniques.
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