A musical note is a symbol used in written music to represent a specific pitch and duration. Each note corresponds to a particular frequency, which determines how high or low the sound is. Notes are typically placed on a staff, which consists of five lines and four spaces, allowing musicians to read and interpret the music. There are different types of musical notes, such as whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes, each indicating varying lengths of time to hold the sound. Additionally, notes can be modified with symbols like sharps and flats, which alter their pitch. Understanding these elements is essential for playing instruments like the piano or guitar.