Which note value lasts one beat?

Which note value lasts one beat?

• A. Half Note
• B. Quarter Note
• C. Eighth Note
• D. Whole Note

Answer: (B)

In most common time, the beat is the basic pulse, and the quarter note is the standard unit of that pulse. One beat equals one quarter note, so it lasts exactly one beat. A half note lasts two beats, a whole note lasts four beats, and an eighth note takes half a beat (it’s a subdivision of a beat). In 4/4 counting, you’d feel the pulse as 1 2 3 4, with each count corresponding to a quarter note. Therefore, the note value that lasts one beat is the quarter note.

In most common time, the beat is the basic pulse, and the quarter note is the standard unit of that pulse. One beat equals one quarter note, so it lasts exactly one beat. A half note lasts two beats, a whole note lasts four beats, and an eighth note takes half a beat (it’s a subdivision of a beat). In 4/4 counting, you’d feel the pulse as 1 2 3 4, with each count corresponding to a quarter note. Therefore, the note value that lasts one beat is the quarter note.