How many beats does a half note represent?

A half note represents two beats in music notation. This is an essential concept in understanding rhythm and time signatures. In a 4/4 time signature, which is common in many musical genres, a half note lasts for two counts or beats, as opposed to a quarter note, which lasts for one beat. As a result, when a half note is played, it is typically held for a longer duration, effectively contributing to the overall phrase or measure in a piece of music. Understanding the duration of different note values, such as the half note, is crucial for creating rhythms that align with the intended feel and pace of the music being composed or performed.