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 semibreve has the longest note duration in modern music.
The half note has half the duration of a whole note.
The minim has half the duration of a semibreve.
Two half notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note.
Two minims occupy the same amount of time as one semibreve.
The quarter note is a fourth (or a quarter) of a whole note.
The crotchet is a fourth of a semibreve.
Four quarter notes occupy the same amount of time as one whole note. Two quarter notes equal the duration of a half note.
Four crotchets occupy the same amount of time as one semibreve. Two crotchets equal the duration of a minim.
Notes smaller in duration than a quarter note have flags. Each flag halves the value of a note.
Notes smaller in duration than a crotchet 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.
Therefore, two quavers occupy the same amount of time as one crotchet.
A sixteenth note has two flags, halving the value again.
A semiquaver has two flags, halving the value again.
Two sixteenth notes equal the duration of an eighth note.
Two semiquavers equal the duration of a quaver.
Four sixteenth notes occupy the same amount of time as one quarter note.
Four semiquavers occupy the same amount of time as one crotchet.
Although it is possible to have notes with three or more flags, they are seldom used.
This chart displays the relationship of all five note types discussed in this lesson.