Minecraft:Note Block

Template:Infobox block A note block is a Minecraft:block that emits sounds when Template:Control, Template:Control, or Minecraft:powered. The sound produced can be altered in various ways by using it or putting certain blocks directly above or below it. Minecraft:Allays are affected by note blocks, staying nearby and dropping held items next to it for a short while upon hearing its sound.

Obtaining

Breaking

Note blocks are most quickly broken with an Minecraft:axe. Template:Breaking row

Natural generation

Two note blocks generate in the Template:Cd structure in ancient cities.

Usage

Playing music

Notes

File:Note-Block.png

A note block being triggered and playing a note

A note block produces a sound and spawns a colored Template:W Minecraft:particle whenever any of the following conditions are met:

• It is Template:Control by a Minecraft:player in Minecraft:Survival mode
• It receives a Minecraft:redstone signal
• It is Template:Control by a player.

A note block must have either Minecraft:air or a Minecraft:mob head in the space directly above it to play a sound, though Template:Control a silenced note block will still change its pitch. Note block sounds can be heard from up to 48 blocks away, and can be independently controlled by the Minecraft:Jukebox/Note Blocks slider in the audio Minecraft:settings.

Each time a note block plays a sound, an eighth note Minecraft:particle will appear from the top. The color of the particle depends on the pitch of the note block. Note particles do not appear for silenced note blocks or mob head instruments.

Excluding mob heads, there are 16 different instruments and 25 different pitches per instrument (a total of 400 notes with different sounds). Template:Control a note block increases the instrument's pitch up a semitone, with a total of two full octaves (24 semitones in total) being available for each instrument. The standard range (for harp and pling instruments) of notes spans from F♯₃ to F♯₅. After reaching the highest note (24 presses of the Template:Control), pressing use again (25th press of the Template:Control) resets the pitch back to F♯₃, as does breaking the block. The note block's pitch is ignored for player heads and the six Minecraft:mob heads.

The string bass and didgeridoo are two octaves (24 semitones) lower than the standard range, the guitar is one octave (12 semitones) lower than the standard range, the flute is one octave above the standard range, and the bell, chime, and xylophone are 2 octaves above the standard range. This gives six octaves (72 semitones) of effective range to combine instruments for greater pitch coverage.

The exact pitch can be found from its Template:Control-count by using the following formula: 2 ^ ((use count - 12) / 12).

The exact pitch to Template:Control-count assignment is shown below,<ref>Original chart by cookingfat</ref><ref>Original /playsound pitch chart by kwerti</ref> along with the note's color, which is rendered with shading using the particle's texture.

Pitch (Octave 1) Use count Pitch (Template:Cmd) Color (hex) F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 0 0.5 Template:Color G - Sol 1 2^(-11/12) ≈ 0.529732 Template:Color G♯/A♭- Si/Le 2 2^(-10/12) ≈ 0.561231 Template:Color A - La 3 2^(-9/12) ≈ 0.594604 Template:Color A♯/B♭- Li/Te 4 2^(-8/12) ≈ 0.629961 Template:Color B - Ti 5 2^(-7/12) ≈ 0.667420 Template:Color C - Do 6 2^(-6/12) ≈ 0.707107 Template:Color C♯/D♭- Di/Ra 7 2^(-5/12) ≈ 0.749154 Template:Color D - Re 8 2^(-4/12) ≈ 0.793701 Template:Color D♯/E♭- Ri/Me 9 2^(-3/12) ≈ 0.840896 Template:Color E - Mi 10 2^(-2/12) ≈ 0.890899 Template:Color F - Fa 11 2^(-1/12) ≈ 0.943874 Template:Color

Pitch (Octave 2) Use count Pitch (Template:Cmd) Color (hex) F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 12 1.0 Template:Color G - Sol 13 2^(1/12) ≈ 1.059463 Template:Color G♯/A♭- Si/Le 14 2^(2/12) ≈ 1.122462 Template:Color A - La 15 2^(3/12) ≈ 1.189207 Template:Color A♯/B♭- Li/Te 16 2^(4/12) ≈ 1.259921 Template:Color B - Ti 17 2^(5/12) ≈ 1.334840 Template:Color C - Do 18 2^(6/12) ≈ 1.414214 Template:Color C♯/D♭- Di/Ra 19 2^(7/12) ≈ 1.498307 Template:Color D - Re 20 2^(8/12) ≈ 1.587401 Template:Color D♯/E♭- Ri/Me 21 2^(9/12) ≈ 1.681793 Template:Color E - Mi 22 2^(10/12) ≈ 1.781797 Template:Color F - Fa 23 2^(11/12) ≈ 1.887749 Template:Color F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 24 2.0 Template:Color

Alternatively, there is a graphical version available:

1. REDIRECT Template:PG/-

File:Noteblock reference.png

The current pitch of a note block can be roughly estimated by Template:Control it and looking at the color of the note particle.

1. REDIRECT Template:PG/-

File:Note colors.png

Template:IN, the tuning can also be checked by looking at the Minecraft:debug screen (accessed by pressing Template:Key). It is denoted as "note:" followed by a number from 0 to 24.

Instruments

Template:Redirect The instrument played depends on the block placed directly underneath the note block.

Block	Instrument	Template:Tooltip
Template:BlockSprite Wood-related blocks Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	F♯1–F♯3
Template:BlockSprite Sand/Gravel Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	—
Template:BlockSprite Glass-related blocks Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	—
Template:BlockSprite Stone-related blocks Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	—
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯5–F♯7
Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	F♯4–F♯6
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯5–F♯7
Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	F♯2–F♯4
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯5–F♯7
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯4–F♯6
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯1–F♯3
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink and its variants Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink and its variants Template:Flatlist	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5
Template:BlockLink and its variants	Template:Sound	F♯2–F♯4
Template:BlockLink and its variants	Template:Sound	F♯2–F♯4
Template:BlockSprite Any other blocks, including Minecraft:air	Template:Sound	F♯3–F♯5

Minecraft:Mob heads must be placed on top of the note block. Mob head instruments take priority over block instruments, and play the corresponding mob's Template:Cd sound, except for creeper heads, which instead trigger the Template:Cd sound. Mob head sounds are not affected by the note block's pitch.

Mob heads	Instrument
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound
Template:BlockLink	Sound effect set in Template:Nbt, silent by default.
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound
Template:BlockLink	Template:Sound

Sound propagation radius

File:Noteblock radius.png

A representation of Minecraft's noteblock sound propagation. In red, the sound that reaches the player; in yellow the sound that activates warden tendril; and in blue the sound that activates sculk sensors.

The sound of note blocks reaches different radii depending on the target:

• Minecraft:Players can hear a note block being activated up to a radius of 48 blocks.
• Minecraft:Wardens and Minecraft:allays can hear a note block being activated up to a radius of 16 blocks.
• Minecraft:Sculk sensors can detect a note block being activated up to a radius of 8 blocks.

Redstone

Activating note blocks

File:NoteBlockRedstone.png

A pair of note blocks wired to a clock circuit to play alternately

Note blocks can be activated in a variety of different ways, following normal redstone principles. Note blocks conduct redstone power, which means they activate blocks next to them when directly powered, including other note blocks.

Template:IN, after activating a note block or changing its pitch (via Template:Control), the change is treated as a block state change. This immediately plays the sound and generates a block update detectable by both Minecraft:observers and Minecraft:block update detectors (BUDs). An observer facing a note block will trigger whenever the note block is Template:Control, powered by redstone, or its instrument/pitch changes. Because note blocks conduct power, they can be integrated into complex observer-based circuits as conditional triggers or signal routers.

Template:IN, due to a known bug,<ref>Template:Bug</ref> activating a note block or changing its pitch (via Template:Control) does not trigger a block update, meaning neither Minecraft:observers nor Minecraft:BUDs can detect the change. This occurs because pitch and instrument data are stored as Minecraft:block entity data, which updates independently of the main world loop. In circuits requiring a redstone-triggered or manually activated block updates (e.g., flying machines), Minecraft:bells are often used as substitutes in most situations.

Sculk detection

Note blocks emit vibrations detectable by Minecraft:sculk sensors. A Minecraft:calibrated sculk sensor tuned to signal strength 10 detects a note playing.

Template:IN, sculk sensors provide the only reliable method of detecting both note block activations and pitch changes for redstone, since observers and BUDs cannot register these events.

Allay interactions

If an Minecraft:allay hears a note block play within 16 blocks of its location, it pathfinds to it. It then spends 30 seconds near that note block, seeking items and dropping them near the note block instead of its player. After 30 seconds, the allay returns to targeting its player unless the note block is played again. A vibration particle emanates from the note block and reaches the allay to indicate the allay has locked onto it. Placing Minecraft:wool between the note block and the allay prevents this interaction. Allays ignore note blocks which do not make sounds, with the exception of note blocks with player heads on top.

Fuel

Note blocks can be used as Minecraft:fuel in Minecraft:furnaces, smelting 1.5 items per block.

Data values

ID

Template:JE: Template:ID table

Template:BE: Template:ID table Template:ID table

Block states

Template:JE: Template:Bst Template:Bst Template:Bst

Block data

Template:IN, a note block has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block.

See Minecraft:Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format#Note Block.

Sound events

This table maps each note block sound to its internal sound event name in both editions for use with Minecraft:commands (such as Template:Cmd) and Minecraft:resource pack creators. For Java Edition, the instrument block state value is also provided.

Instrument / Sound	Java instrument value	Java Edition sound event	Bedrock Edition sound event
Block instruments
Bass Guitar	bass	block.note_block.bass	note.bassattack
Snare Drum	snare	block.note_block.snare	note.snare
Hi-hat Click	hat	block.note_block.hat	note.hat
Bass Drum	basedrum	block.note_block.basedrum	note.bd
Bell (Glockenspiel)	bell	block.note_block.bell	note.bell
Flute	flute	block.note_block.flute	note.flute
Chime	chime	block.note_block.chime	note.chime
Guitar	guitar	block.note_block.guitar	note.guitar
Xylophone	xylophone	block.note_block.xylophone	note.xylophone
Iron Xylophone (Vibraphone)	iron_xylophone	block.note_block.iron_xylophone	note.iron_xylophone
Cow Bell	cow_bell	block.note_block.cow_bell	note.cow_bell
Didgeridoo	didgeridoo	block.note_block.didgeridoo	note.didgeridoo
Bit (Clarinet/Synthesizer)	bit	block.note_block.bit	note.bit
Banjo	banjo	block.note_block.banjo	note.banjo
Pling (60's E. piano)	pling	block.note_block.pling	note.pling
Trumpet	trumpet	block.note_block.trumpet	note.trumpet
Exposed Trumpet (Distorted Trumpet)	trumpet_exposed	block.note_block.trumpet_exposed	note.trumpet_exposed
Weathered Trumpet (Trombone)	trumpet_weathered	block.note_block.trumpet_weathered	note.trumpet_weathered
Oxidized Trumpet (Distorted Trombone)	trumpet_oxidized	block.note_block.trumpet_oxidized	note.trumpet_oxidized
Harp (Piano)	harp	block.note_block.harp	note.harp
Mob head instruments
Skeleton Skull (rattle)	skeleton	block.note_block.imitate.skeleton	note.skeleton
Wither Skeleton Skull (rattle)	wither_skeleton	block.note_block.imitate.wither_skeleton	note.witherskeleton
Zombie Head (moan)	zombie	block.note_block.imitate.zombie	note.zombie
Creeper Head (hiss)	creeper	block.note_block.imitate.creeper	note.creeper
Piglin Head (snort)	piglin	block.note_block.imitate.piglin	note.piglin
Dragon Head (roar)	dragon	block.note_block.imitate.ender_dragon	note.enderdragon
Player Head	custom_head	Silent by default; set using note_block_sound NBT	Silent by default

History

Trivia

• Because a note block is a wooden-type block, a note block directly on top of another one produces a string bass sound when playing notes.
• Template:IN, note blocks have the highest number of possible block state combinations, at 1350, beating Minecraft:fire's 512 and Minecraft:redstone dust's 1296.

Gallery

Screenshots

• Redstone linked to note blocks, playing a simple melody when the button is pressed.
  Redstone linked to note blocks, playing a simple melody when the button is pressed.
• Vibration particles sent by the Note Block to the Allay.
  Vibration particles sent by the Note Block to the Allay.

Concept artwork

• A concept sketch tweeted by Notch depicting what would eventually become the note block
  A concept sketch tweeted by Notch depicting what would eventually become the note block

In other media

• Minecraft:Sunny using a Minecraft:piglin head on a note block
  Minecraft:Sunny using a Minecraft:piglin head on a note block
• Minecraft:Efe looking at Minecraft:Makena napping on a note block
  Minecraft:Efe looking at Minecraft:Makena napping on a note block
• Efe placing a Minecraft:zombie head sneakily on the note block
  Efe placing a Minecraft:zombie head sneakily on the note block
• Makena waking up startled at the sound of zombies being played on the note block
  Makena waking up startled at the sound of zombies being played on the note block

See also

• Minecraft:Tutorial:Redstone music
• Minecraft:Tutorial:Redstone music/Doorbell
• Template:BlockLink
• Minecraft Note Block Studio – A music editor for Minecraft.

External links

• Block of the Week: Note Block – Minecraft.net on June 1, 2018
• Search YouTube for the many songs played on note blocks