## Whole Note

A whole note is a hollow note head with no stem, and it lasts four beats in common time — a full measure of 4/4.

It is the longest note in ordinary use, and the reference every other value is divided from: two half notes, four quarter notes, eight eighth notes all fill the same space.


## How To Spot Whole Note

An empty oval with nothing attached. If a note has no stem at all, it is a whole note.


## Find It In Thirty Seconds

Find a whole note in any piece, play it, and count four out loud while it rings. Most beginners cut long notes short; counting is the fix.

Open any piece of sheet music on this site and do it now. Reading is a recognition skill, and recognition is built by finding things, not by reading about them.