# Note Duration

Note duration is defined as the length of time to hold the note. There are different note types to indicate the different note durations.

## Whole Note (Semibreve)

A whole note (American English) or semibreve (British English) is a note type that has the longest note duration.

## Half Note (Minim)

A half note (American English) of minim (British English) has half the duration of a whole note.

Two half notes equal the duration of a whole note.

## Quarter Note (Crotchet)

A quarter note (American English) or crotchet (British English) has half the duration of a half note.

It is one quarter of the duration of a whole note. Two quarter notes have the same amount of time as one half note.

Four quarter notes have the same amount of time as one whole note.

## Eighth Note (Quaver)

An eighth note (American English) or quaver (British English) is half of a quarter note. It has one flag.

Two eighth notes equal the duration of a quarter note. An eighth note is played for one eighth the duration of a whole note.

Two eighth notes join together is called beamed eighth or quaver notes: