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This article is about the block that produces single musical notes. For the block that plays music discs, see Jukebox.

A note block is a block that emits sounds when attacked, used or powered with redstone. The sound produced can be altered in various ways by using it or putting certain blocks directly above or below it. A note block's sound played repeatedly can be used to direct allays to stay nearby and drop collected items near it.

Obtaining[]

Natural generation[]

Note blocks generate in ancient cities.

Breaking[]

Note blocks are most quickly broken with an axe.

Block Note Block
Hardness 0.8
Tool
Breaking time[A]
Default 1.2
Wooden 0.6
Stone 0.3
Iron 0.2
Diamond 0.15
Netherite 0.15
Golden 0.1
  1. Times are for unenchanted tools as wielded by players with no status effects, measured in seconds. For more information, see Breaking § Speed.

Crafting[]

Ingredients Crafting recipe
Any Planks +
Redstone Dust

Usage[]

Playing music[]

Notes[]

Note-Block

A note block being triggered and playing a note.

Note blocks play a musical note when hit (pressing the attack button) or powered by redstone. A note block must have air in the space directly above it to play a sound. Notes can be heard up to 48 blocks away. The volume of a note block decreases as the player gets further away from it. The volume of note blocks (as well as jukeboxes) can be independently controlled by the Jukebox/Note Blocks slider in the audio settings.

Note blocks play when on or next to a powered block. Each time a note block plays a note, a note particle may fly out of the top (if pressed too fast, notes may not appear), with the color depending on the pitch (but not the instrument).

There are 16 different instruments and 25 different pitches per instrument. Pressing the use button on the block increases the note pitch up a semitone, with a total of two full octaves and a semitone (25 semitones in total) being available for each instrument. The standard range (for harp and pling instruments) of notes span from F♯3 to F♯5. After reaching the highest note, pressing use again resets the pitch back to F♯3, as does breaking the block and picking it back up.

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 bells, chimes, and xylophone are 2 octaves above the standard range. This gives the player six octaves (72 semitones) of effective range to combine instruments for greater pitch coverage.

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

The exact pitch to use-count assignment is shown below,[1][2] along with the note's color, which is rendered with shading using the particle's texture.

Pitch

(Octave 1)

Use Count Pitch (/playsound) Color (hex)
F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 0 0.5
 #77D700
G - Sol 1 2^(-11/12) ≈ 0.529732
 #95C000
G♯/A♭- Si/Le 2 2^(-10/12) ≈ 0.561231
 #B2A500
A - La 3 2^(-9/12) ≈ 0.594604
 #CC8600
A♯/B♭- Li/Te 4 2^(-8/12) ≈ 0.629961
 #E26500
B - Ti 5 2^(-7/12) ≈ 0.667420
 #F34100
C - Do 6 2^(-6/12) ≈ 0.707107
 #FC1E00
C♯/D♭- Di/Ra 7 2^(-5/12) ≈ 0.749154
 #FE000F
D - Re 8 2^(-4/12) ≈ 0.793701
 #F70033
D♯/E♭- Ri/Me 9 2^(-3/12) ≈ 0.840896
 #E8005A
E - Mi 10 2^(-2/12) ≈ 0.890899
 #CF0083
F - Fa 11 2^(-1/12) ≈ 0.943874
 #AE00A9
F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 12 1.0
 #8600CC
Pitch

(Octave 2)

Use Count Pitch (/playsound) Color (hex)
F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 12 1.0
 #8600CC
G - Sol 13 2^(1/12) ≈ 1.059463
 #5B00E7
G♯/A♭- Si/Le 14 2^(2/12) ≈ 1.122462
 #2D00F9
A - La 15 2^(3/12) ≈ 1.189207
 #020AFE
A♯/B♭- Li/Te 16 2^(4/12) ≈ 1.259921
 #0037F6
B - Ti 17 2^(5/12) ≈ 1.334840
 #0068E0
C - Do 18 2^(6/12) ≈ 1.414214
 #009ABC
C♯/D♭- Di/Ra 19 2^(7/12) ≈ 1.498307
 #00C68D
D - Re 20 2^(8/12) ≈ 1.587401
 #00E958
D♯/E♭- Ri/Me 21 2^(9/12) ≈ 1.681793
 #00FC21
E - Mi 22 2^(10/12) ≈ 1.781797
 #1FFC00
F - Fa 23 2^(11/12) ≈ 1.887749
 #59E800
F♯/G♭- Fi/Se 24 2.0
 #94C100

Alternatively, there is a graphical version available:

Noteblock reference

Players can roughly check the tuning of a block by looking at the note icon.

Note colors

In Java Edition, the tuning can also be checked by looking at the right side of the debug screen (accessed by pressing F3). It is denoted as "note:" followed by a number from 0 to 24.

Instruments[]

The instrument played depends on the material of the block underneath the note block. Note that these are groups of blocks defined by the code, not just the individual block.

Mob heads[]

When a mob head is placed on top of a note block, the sound made by the note block will instead be that of the corresponding mob's ambient sound, with the exception of the creeper head, which instead causes the note block to play the primed sound.

Block Instrument Range Sound event names (Java) Sound event names (Bedrock)
Material: Wood Bass (String Bass) F♯1–F♯3 block.note_block.bass note.bass
Material: Sand, Gravel, Concrete Powder Snare Drum block.note_block.snare note.snare
Material: Glass, Sea Lantern, Beacon Clicks and Sticks (Hihat) block.note_block.hat note.hat
Material: Stone, Blackstone, Netherrack, Nylium, Obsidian, Quartz, Sandstone, Ores, Bricks, Corals, Respawn Anchor, Bedrock, Concrete, Observer Bass Drum (Kick) block.note_block.basedrum note.bd
Block of Gold Bells (Glockenspiel) F♯5–F♯7 block.note_block.bell note.bell
Clay, Honeycomb Block[Bedrock Edition only] [3], Infested Block[Bedrock Edition only] Flute F♯4–F♯6 block.note_block.flute note.flute
Packed Ice Chimes F♯5–F♯7 block.note_block.chime note.chime
Wool Guitar F♯2–F♯4 block.note_block.guitar note.guitar
Bone Block Xylophone F♯5–F♯7 block.note_block.xylophone note.xylophone
Block of Iron Iron Xylophone (Vibraphone) F♯3–F♯5 block.note_block.iron_xylophone note.iron_xylophone
Soul Sand Cow Bell F♯4–F♯6 block.note_block.cow_bell note.cow_bell
Pumpkin Didgeridoo F♯1–F♯3 block.note_block.didgeridoo note.didgeridoo
Block of Emerald "Bit" (Square wave) F♯3–F♯5 block.note_block.bit note.bit
Hay Bale Banjo F♯3–F♯5 block.note_block.banjo note.banjo
Glowstone "Pling" (Electric piano) F♯3–F♯5 block.note_block.pling note.pling
Skeleton Skull "Skeleton" - block.note_block.imitate.skeleton note.skeleton
Wither Skeleton Skull "Wither Skeleton" - block.note_block.imitate.wither_skeleton note.witherskeleton
Player Head Sound event set in  note_block_sound - Dependent Dependent
Zombie Head "Zombie" - block.note_block.imitate.zombie note.zombie
Creeper Head "Creeper" - block.note_block.imitate.creeper note.creeper
Piglin Head "Piglin" - block.note_block.imitate.piglin note.piglin
Dragon Head "Ender Dragon" - block.note_block.imitate.ender_dragon note.enderdragon
Any other blocks Harp / piano F♯3–F♯5 block.note_block.harp note.harp

Powering note blocks[]

NoteBlockRedstone

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

Note blocks can be powered in a variety of different ways following normal redstone principles; however, some ways of powering note blocks are more convenient than others or produce unexpected results.

  • When a note block is powered by a button on its side, it does play a note, but is often difficult to hear because the sound of the button can overlap the note block.
  • Because note blocks need space above them, note blocks powered by pressure plates or redstone directly above them do not make a sound.

Interaction with allays[]

If an allay hears a note block play within 16 blocks of its location, it tries to path find to the note block and then spends 30 seconds around that particular note block, seeking items around it and returning them to it instead of its player. After 30 seconds, the allay returns to targeting its player. A vibration particle emanates from the note block and reaches the allay to indicate the allay has locked on to the note block. Because the allay and the note block interact via a vibration particle, placing wool between the note block and the allay can prevent this interaction.

Fuel[]

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

Sounds[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Block brokenBlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.wood.breaksubtitles.block.generic.break1.00.816
Block placedBlocksWhen the block is placedblock.wood.placesubtitles.block.generic.place1.00.816
Block breakingBlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenblock.wood.hitsubtitles.block.generic.hit0.250.516
None[sound 1]Entity-DependentFalling on the block with fall damageblock.wood.fallNone[sound 1]0.50.7516
FootstepsEntity-DependentWalking on the blockblock.wood.stepsubtitles.block.generic.footsteps0.151.016
  1. a b MC-177082

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokendig.wood1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placeddig.wood1.00.8
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.wood0.230.5
PlayersFalling on the block with fall damagefall.wood0.41.0
PlayersWalking on the blockstep.wood0.31.0
PlayersJumping from the blockjump.wood0.121.0
PlayersFalling on the block without fall damageland.wood0.181.0

Data values[]

ID[]

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormTranslation key
Note Blocknote_blockBlock & Itemblock.minecraft.note_block

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
Note Blocknoteblock25Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]tile.noteblock.name
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. Available with /give command.
  3. The block's direct item form has the same id as the block.
NameSavegame ID
Block entityMusic

Block states[]

See also: Block states

Java Edition:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
instrumentharpbanjo
basedrum
bass
bell
bit
chime
cow_bell
creeper
custom_head
didgeridoo
dragon
flute
guitar
harp
hat
iron_xylophone
piglin
pling
skeleton
snare
wither_skeleton
xylophone
zombie
The instrument of the note block.
note00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
The pitch of the note block
poweredfalsefalse
true
True if the note block is currently activated.

Block data[]

In Bedrock Edition, a note block has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block.

See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

Achievements[]

Icon Achievement In-game description Actual requirements (if different) Gamerscore earned Trophy type (PS4)
PS4 Other
Birthday songHave an Allay drop a cake at a noteblockTame an allay by giving it a cake while having dropped cake items and play a noteblock nearby.10GBronze

Advancements[]

Icon Advancement In-game description Parent Actual requirements (if different) Resource location
Advancement-plain-rawBirthday Song
Have an Allay drop a Cake at a Note Block You've Got a Friend in MeGive an allay a cake and then use a note block to make the allay drop the cake at a note block.
This is a hidden advancement, meaning that it can be viewed by the player only after completing it, regardless of if its child advancement(s), if any, have been completed.
husbandry/allay_deliver_cake_to_note_block

History[]

Java Edition Beta
1.2Note Block JE1 BE1 Added note blocks.
Note blocks have 5 instruments: Harp, Bass, Bass drum, Snare drum, Click. Pling is also added in the sound files, but is currently unused.
Java Edition
1.0.0Beta 1.9 Prerelease 6Note blocks are now broken faster using an axe.
1.2.4releaseSpruce planks, birch planks, and jungle planks can now be used to craft note blocks.
1.7.21.7.1Acacia planks and dark oak planks can now be used to craft note blocks.
1.1217w16aAdded sound events (but not the sounds themselves) for additional instruments (bell, chime, flute, guitar, xylophone) to note blocks.
17w17aAdded sounds for additional instruments to note blocks.
1.1317w47aNote blocks can now be pushed by pistons.
1.1418w43aNote Block JE2 BE2 The texture of note blocks has been changed.
19w09aAdded sounds to note blocks for additional instruments (iron xylophone, cow bell, didgeridoo, bit, banjo), and implemented the "Pling" instrument into the game.
1.1620w06aCrimson planks and warped planks can now be used to craft note blocks.
1.1922w11aMangrove planks can now be used to craft note blocks.
22w13aNote blocks now generate as part of ancient cities.
Note blocks can now only be silenced with wool or wool carpets on top.
22w15aThe change to note block silencing mentioned above for 22w13a has now been reverted.
1.20
(Experimental)
22w42aHeads can now be placed on note blocks to play the respective mob sound.
23w03aHeads can now be placed on note blocks without sneaking.
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.13.0build 1Note Block JE1 BE1 Added note blocks.
v0.15.0build 1Note blocks can now be moved by pistons.
Bedrock Edition
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3Note Block JE2 BE2 The texture of note blocks has been changed.
1.13.0beta 1.13.0.9Added all new note block sounds from Java Edition 1.12 and 1.14.
Wild Update (experimental)beta 1.18.30.22A note block played near an allay becomes its favorite note block for 30 seconds.
Placing a block on top of a note block no longer mutes it, with the exception of wool blocks.
1.19.0beta 1.19.0.26The previous change has been reverted.
Next Major Update
(Experimental)
beta 1.19.60.20Heads can now be placed on note blocks to play the respective mob sound.
1.20.10beta 1.20.10.20Note blocks with soul soil underneath now produces the "harp" sound instead of "snare".
Legacy Console Edition
TU1CU1 1.0 Patch 11.0.1Note Block JE1 BE1 Added note blocks.
TU53CU43 1.49 Patch 231.0.3Added new note block sounds.
1.90 Note Block JE2 BE2 The texture of note blocks has been changed.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0Note Block JE1 BE1 Added note blocks.

Data history[]

This section is missing information about Info on the block entity used before 17w47a. 
Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.
Java Edition
1.915w34aThe power state of note blocks is now controlled through the powered tag, and therefore can now be controlled independently of any redstone signal.
1.1116w32aThe block entity ID of note blocks has been changed from Music to noteblock.
1.1317w47aThe ID has been changed from noteblock to note_block.
Note blocks are no longer block entities and instead are defined by the note, powered, and instrument block states.
Prior to The Flattening, this block's numeral ID was 25.

Issues[]

Issues relating to "Note block" or "Noteblock" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

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 powered.
  • In Java Edition, note blocks have the second highest number of possible block state combinations, at 1150[verify], beating fire's 512 and behind redstone dust's 1296.
  • In Creative mode, the only way to hit a note block to play it without breaking it or changing its pitch is by doing so while holding a sword.

Gallery[]

Pixel Artwork[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

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