What is a minum in music?

In music, a minum, also known as a half note or a whole note in some countries, represents the duration of half of a semibreve or a whole note. It is commonly written as an oval notehead with a stem, and in standard notation, the stem points upwards if the notehead is below the middle line of the staff, and downwards if the notehead is above the middle line.

The value of a minum varies depending on the time signature and the tempo of the music. For example, in a time signature of 4/4, a minum represents one beat. In a time signature of 2/2, a minum represents two beats. And in a time signature of 6/8, a minum represents one-and-a-half beats.

Minims are often used in melodies, accompaniment parts, and rhythmic patterns in various genres of music. Their relatively longer duration allows for sustained sounds and lyrical phrases.