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Eighth Note – Definition
An eighth note is a note value equal to one eighth of a whole note. In a 4/4 time signature, two eighth notes equal one quarter-note beat.
What is an Eighth Note?
An eighth note has a filled notehead, a stem, and a single flag. When several eighth notes appear consecutively, they are usually connected with beams to make rhythmic patterns easier to read.
Eighth notes are among the most common rhythmic values in Western music and appear in virtually every musical style.
How is an Eighth Note used in piano playing?
Pianists use eighth notes to create steady rhythmic motion in melodies, accompaniment patterns, bass lines, and chord rhythms. Many pop, rock, jazz, and contemporary piano styles rely heavily on consistent eighth-note rhythms.
Developing accurate eighth-note timing helps pianists improve rhythm, groove, coordination, and ensemble playing.