What is a Half Note?

A half note is a musical note that represents two beats of sound in most common time signatures, such as 4/4 time. It lasts for half the duration of a whole note and twice as long as a quarter note. Half notes are commonly used in music to create sustained tones that are longer than quick rhythmic notes but shorter than full-measure notes.

In sheet music, a half note is written as a hollow oval note head with a vertical stem attached. This appearance distinguishes it from a whole note, which has no stem, and from a quarter note, which has a filled-in note head. The visual design helps musicians quickly recognize the note’s duration while reading music.

Half notes are frequently used to maintain a steady rhythm and provide space within a musical phrase. Because they last for two beats in common time, they often appear in melodies, harmonies, and accompaniment patterns where a sustained sound is needed without filling an entire measure. This balance makes the half note an important building block in musical rhythm and notation.