0Whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes are each notated differently on sheet music, and they’re played differently too. Whole notes, notated as empty circles, are played for four beats. Half notes, notated as empty circles with upward stretching arms, are played for two beats. And quarter notes, notated as filled-in circles with upward stretching arms, are played for one beat.
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To practice, try playing a C whole note. Find the white C key and press down on it with the pad of your finger. Hold the key down and count to four. Then release the key.
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Try playing a half E. Find the white E key and press it down for two beats.
