Talk:Note Block

I've done a little research, and found that there are five instruments, and that each once can be reached through several different blocks being underneath, as follows:

• Dirt
• Wool
• Air
• Reeds
• Leaves
• Water

• Stone
• Cobblestone
• Furnace
• Obsidian
• Netherack
• Half-block

• Wood
• Wood planks
• Chest
• Bookshelf
• Fence
• Note block

• Sand
• Gravel
• Mud

• Glass
• Glowstone

I also tested it above a workbench, and it doesn't make a sound. Anything else, I've not tested. Use how you will. Chilari 19:05, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

Can someone please upload this and add it under the wiring, with the caption "How to wire a Note Block." or something similar? Thanks. Link: http://i53.tinypic.com/28jureg.png -FragPl0x 14:20, 13 January 2011

First of all, learn to sign your comments!

Secondly I don't see any need for the image; it appears to follow the standard Redstone wiring conventions. - SoNick (Talk | Contribs) 22:42, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps the issue of concern is that powering the block below a note block using wire will not activate it the same way it would activate a torch, powered rail, etc.

Additionally, while a torch below the note block will activate it, this is often unrealistic as the space is needed for instrument choice, making it so the block typically must be triggered directly from the side.

This is potentially noteworthy since it make it difficult to wire directly adjacent note blocks from the same (back/hidden?) side, though a textual description of the problem seems plenty. Chloë^(T|C) 16:05, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

This page is already fairly comprehensive, but might I add am image with a short explanation of how using note blocks and a clock generator you can make a repeating musical sequence? Or does that belong on the Circuits/Mechanisms page?

I'd like that! --Flippeh 03:28, 15 January 2011 (UTC) Wiring, Learn how to build a redstone clock to find out!00:32, 15 April 2014 (UTC)ShadowsUnknown.

I just updated the instrument names and removed the "Rhodes" keyboard one. I checked the sound files and there are 7 sound files, 2 of which are similar enough to other instruments that they're practically duplicates, so there are 5 instruments. Secondly, checking the names of the files indicates that the all other blocks instrument is called harp (it has a similar sounding file called pling as well), so we should probably go with harp, since that's also what it actually sounds like. Secondly, I changed 'marimba' to double bass for similar reasons. I have absolutely no idea how anyone could confuse a double bass for a marimba, however. Whoever made that mistake, your hearing is bad and you should feel bad. --Yourself 07:21, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm guessing one of the two sounds, that you thought were similar enough, to be the same as another; is the unique sound the note block makes, when placed on another note block. Perhabs that should be mentioned? Edit: Could be, that it's supposed, to be a 12 stringed guitar! --Mr FJ 14:21, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

I was the one who added the Rhodes/Electric Keyboard. It's most certainly in the source files. The pling.ogg is not used in any of the current documented instruments, but it's in the folder, which means that either we have not figured out what block goes underneath (which is unlikely, I think we've tried them all), or it hasn't been implemented yet. But that pling.ogg is most definitely currently unused. --CosmoVibe 22:28, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

It's a piano, not a harp. Harps don't sound like that when you mute them. Pianos always sound like that.FinalDoom 02:57, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

I understand that people are excited that Notch added Note Blocks, and it provides the autistic in all of us to create some pretty neat songs using said Note Blocks, but I don't think we need THAT many Youtube Links... Shay 15:32, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

Well.. here's an epic one, started by a single switch :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEPVYrltke4

don't wanna mess with the wiki too much as i'm prett much a Wiki-noob. PS: that video isn't mine ;) Bambooz 20:35, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

I shrunk all the links down to make the page flow better. It looks better without a bunch of random Youtube links spread around. Please shrink all future Youtube links on this page with single brackets. [http://www.youtube.com/YoutubeLink] Shay 00:38, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Unfortunately, i have to say that one above is much better than mine xD of course, it's still alive and what's better than still alive?^^ anyway, this is my noteblock song: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wx5UYsB9C8] it's my own "composition" :) --Smashmello 19:09, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Unfortunatly, the Wiki is no place to promote your own videos. It says this in the Wiki Rules under section 16-A. It also says on 16 itself that videos should be able to demonstrate something that images cannot... It doesn't say to post your own creations. I don't knock the fact that people love creating stuff with the note blocks, but I don't think we need 16 videos all showcasing a different song. We need one or two to get the basic premise across, and if people want more, they can search YouTube. - Shay 19:40, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Unfortunately, i had this idea to post a video on minepedia to show that you can make real music with redstone circuits/clocks but unfortunately you were faster than me.

And unfortunately, i was too lazy to delete my comment. In the end you are right ^^ --Smashmello 10:16, 16 January 2011 (UTC)

You guys all have your userspaces to post links to your favorite YouTube videos if you wish. The number of red links in signatures is rather depressing to me. I appreciate your enthusiasm for both the game and the wiki, however, if you want to post video links, use your userspace. -- Wynthyst 👁 Image
talk 21:16, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Does anyone think they can provide a diagram for the example of the note blocks connected to the button via inverters? It looks simple, but I can't quite figure it out. HavensFire 00:21, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

has anyone ever noticed that there are 7 different sound files under note? doesnt this technically mean that there are 7 different instruments? --WallShadow 17:08, 12 February 2011 (UTC)

Note blocks respond perfectly to the signal coming to them through a redstone wire. But I've tried triggering them with a redstone directly placed under them and the result was weird. The block would emit a sound the first time the torch would go on, but then wouldn't react to the (blinking) torch anymore until I would hit the note block with my hand. And even then, not all the time. Anybody saw a similar behavior ? I don't want to create a 'bug' entry on the page if I'm the only one having that problem. -- Niriel 20:10, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Maybe in the trivia section about the basic doorbell sound, number of clicks required for both notes should be put? Some may be confused by "B flat and F sharp"?

As of v1.0.0, note blocks now play when next to a powered block (even if that powered block is another note block). This have ruined countless songs already built in Minecraft, but it does however allow for new, extremely compact note block circuit designs. Davve 12:26, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

You can try spacing the note blocks out more to keep the song good, although it takes up space in standard maps (non-super flat). It's always worth a try, though! Evau1 19:26, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

I saw one of YouTube video that someone play the song with button. When I create my own, I have a lot of problem: 1. Redstone keep active although the switch is closed 2. Don't know how to use Redstone Repeater

I mostly have problem with Redstone Repeater because I dont know how to use that. Can someone show me the circuit so I can create my own song? ( I dont' want jogging one!)

Thank you...

This belongs in the forum. You should also sign your post. But this should work for you. (File:Noteblock-sequence.png) Hopefully the image will be enough to show you how to do it.

(Sorry, I edited that many times since I'm a noob to wikis)

Lekrosa 07:56, 2 August 2013 (UTC)

the last piece of trivia is wrong i did it yesterday today and a few days after the clay update and it was working i say that it should be placed in bugs not trivia 2.127.9.32 06:26, 23 June 2012 (UTC)

Is this section necessary now that the sound options are updated in 1.7? I'm considering it. --Neutral0814 (talk) 02:48, 29 October 2013 (UTC)

• Should be replaced by a link to how to change it by using a custom resource pack. 93.128.67.206 23:13, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

What if I want to play A#6?Wwei23 (talk) 20:41, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

If it is not listed on the available notes, you cannot play it in game. –KnightMiner ^t/_c 20:52, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

Im wondering if there is a good way to list all of the blocks that count to define the instrument types. While some of the categories are self explanatory (like gold block) the limits of some are not as clear. Does "Clay" include glazed terracotta? Bricks? Does wool include carpets? Trapdoors and Stairs? Obviously we don't want to just add a column which contains the giant lists; that would look obnoxious, but maybe something click to expand? Perhaps with images like the Renewable resource page rather than words? Cultist O (talk) 09:05, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

Presentation, I'm not sure, it might depend how large the lists are. You're saying it's really a larger list than it is on the page right now? – Sealbudsman ^talk/_contr 13:19, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

I didn't notice that the links were mostly to the Materials page (rather than to the Wood page for example) perhaps making that clear would be sufficient, as while that page is a bit out of date, it the information there does otherwise seem to be the rule, with the exceptions of gold and bone. The links should also be made consistent though, as clay for example links to the clay page, while stone and wood link to the material page. Cultist O (talk) 22:29, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

With the increased number of instruments, a table like in renewable resource may be a good idea. The Blobs^{👁 Image}
00:19, 4 May 2017 (UTC)

I have a test module. Feel free to test it and make suggestions. The Blobs^{👁 Image}
00:44, 4 May 2017 (UTC)

What are "Clicks and sticks"? I just can't figure it out. A link to a wikipedia article would be nice for an uncommon term like this. If nobody knows we could maybe change it to claves? I've also checked the version history of this article, just to see if there ever was another term, but clicks and sticks has been here ever since. – Fuzs 22:13, 18 March 2018 (UTC)

Block of gold, wool and bone block had the introduction of note block in Usage, But others had no. Could it be unified as all or all not? That's not comfortable. Icyphantom (talk) 12:58, 25 April 2019 (UTC)

Now, to give you a note, I'll be using the colored numbers on the Piano Diagram as a reference for these colors.
👁 The Piano Diagram

Format: <Note> = <Hex Adress>
It will be going from Left to Right.

(Note Block) Notes:
F# = 67D605
G = 8BD602
G# = D6D600
A = D68B1B
A# = D64F26
B = D72A29
C = CE2827
C# = D72A29
D = D72A4F
D# = D72A86
E = D72AD6
F = 8C16D7
F# = 5006D6
G = 2C00FE
G# = 1E01F6
A = 252DFE
A# = 3660FF
B = 4C95EB
C = 6BD7D6
C# = 68D68C
D = 67D651
D# = 67D626
E = 62CD0D
F = 72EB10
F# = 67D605
--Pacomatic (talk) 14:58, 5 January 2021 (UTC)

Edit:
I found the formula in the source code to be something like the following:
Note = a number between 0 and 24, inclusive
Pitch = POWER(2, ([Note] - 12) / 12) / 24
Red = FLOOR(MAX(0, SIN(([Pitch] + 0) * 6.2831855) * 0.65 + 0.35))
Green = FLOOR(MAX(0,SIN(([Pitch] + 0.33333334) * 6.2831855) * 0.65 + 0.35))
Blue = FLOOR(MAX(0,SIN(([Pitch] + 0.6666667) * 6.2831855) * 0.65 + 0.35))
A spreadsheet calculation results in decimal values that I can only assume are percentages of red, green, and blue. However, the Blue formula always results in a negative value which is MAXed to 0, so it's likely I've missed something. Errors aside, multiplying each Red, Green, Blue decimal by 255 results in some of the following:
F# = 0 = 6EDC00
G = 1 = 70DB00
G# = 2 = 71DB00
...
E = 22 = A3B400
F = 23 = A7B000
F# = 24 = ACAC00
Again, these formulas are not 100% correct. Somebody else should look into the source code to see what they can find, or double-check the math. --65.130.78.62 22:37, 16 January 2021 (UTC)sky01

Very close! Enough to get me to the right place, thanks! Your problem was in the pitch calculation, which is simpler
Pitch = POWER(2, Note / 24)
Which gives us the following, which you can see in (the spreadsheet I created)[1]:

77D700	77D700
95C000	95C000
B2A500	B2A500
CC8600	CC8600
E26500	E26500
F34100	F34100
FC1E00	FC1E00
FE000F	FE000F
F70033	F70033
E8005A	E8005A
CF0083	CF0083
AE00A9	AE00A9
8600CC	8600CC
5B00E7	5B00E7
2D00F9	2D00F9
020AFE	020AFE
0037F6	0037F6
0068E0	0068E0
009ABC	009ABC
00C68D	00C68D
00E958	00E958
00FC21	00FC21
1FFC00	1FFC00
59E800	59E800
94C100	94C100

BlueMeanial (talk) 06:33, 6 July 2021 (UTC)

Note length is basically the alphabet of musical notation, so it's kind of a ridiculous thing to leave out. On top of that, the base tick speed only allows the lowest range of tempos to be used. Lennnnn (talk) 02:10, 14 February 2022 (UTC)

Note blocks playing sounds of mobs is a 1.20 experimental feature, as verified by code analysis. The method getStateWithInstrument is called when a note block is updated, and the game intentionally checks if the experimental setting is enabled, or areMobHeadSoundsEnabled(world), to handle the mob heads sound.

👁 Note block code analysis

Currently no indications are pointing to this fact, and all related information is suggesting this being a 1.19.3, non-experimental gameplay. Please make changes to all misleading texts.

G2245820920 (talk) 13:31, 5 January 2023 (UTC)

In fact, they go the opposite direction along the color spectrum. That is, the ones here (which I'm assuming are Java's) go green-yellow-red, while on Bedrock they go bluish-purple-red. They're not just reversed either. For example, there are a lot of red-adjacent colors on Java's, but Bedrock's have a weirdly big gap between purple and red, as well as red and yellow. In the whole spectrum, only one note could be called red by any sane definition- the second octave just skips over it. There are a lot more oddities, but generally, Java's is a smooth, consistent change, while Bedrock's is whatever the opposite of that is. Figured I'd put this out there in case someone's able/willing to make another graphic and table. Memerath (talk) 01:48, 13 March 2025 (UTC)

This has now been added. BDJP ^(t|c) 20:48, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

i am a trumpet and cornet player and i have played them since i was very young. (since approximately 2012) i believe that all the trumpet instruments are actually trumpets, though the distortion makes me not 100% sure in that assessment. additionally, it might be worth noting that while the samples get more distorted as the copper oxidizes, they also get more "choked" - i'm not sure the best term to describe this, but whoever was playing the trumpet that was being sampled intentionally overly tightened their lips while playing the more oxidized samples, leading to a less full, more raspberry-like sound that is particularly noticeable in the higher notes of each. Ouroya (talk) 23:03, 7 April 2026 (UTC)

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