Which note equals two beats?

The correct answer is the half note, which equals two beats in common time signatures, such as 4/4. In Western music notation, a half note is represented by a hollow oval shape with a stem. Because it lasts for the duration of two beats, it allows for longer melodic or harmonic phrases within a musical piece, providing more sustained sound compared to shorter note values.

This length is essential for both compositional and performance purposes, as it helps musicians understand the pacing and rhythm in a musical context. Other note values, such as the whole note, quarter note, and eighth note, have specific durations that differ from the half note: the whole note lasts four beats, the quarter note lasts one beat, and the eighth note lasts half a beat. This clear differentiation in duration is what makes the half note stand out as a two-beat note within the context of rhythm and meter in music.