eighthnote

An eighth note, also called a quaver in British English, is a note value used in Western musical notation. In common time, its duration is half a quarter note, or half a beat in 4/4 time. Eighth notes subdivide the beat to create faster rhythms and are often paired with rests for syncopation and movement.

Notationally, an eighth note has a filled-in note head, a straight stem, and one flag. When two or more eighth notes occur together, they are typically joined by a single beam rather than separate flags. Two eighth notes equal one quarter note, and four eighth notes equal a half note.

Two core terms: “eighth note” in American usage and “quaver” in British usage; both refer to the same duration. Eighth notes are a standard element in most Western styles, from classical to pop.

An eighth rest corresponds to the same duration of silence as an eighth note. Eighth notes and rests are often used in combinations to articulate rhythms, subdivisions of the beat, and musical phrasing.

Historically, the modern eighth note developed with the standardization of Western rhythmic notation and is used across various meters and tempos.