The term STAFF SYMBOL is used to refer to the various symbols used in musical notation. These symbols include the CLEF (4 letters), which indicates the pitch of the notes on the staff; the REST (4 letters), which indicates a period of silence; the NOTE (4 letters), which indicates the duration of a sound; the FLAT (4 letters), which lowers the pitch of a NOTE by a semitone; the SHARP (5 letters), which raises the pitch of a NOTE by a semitone; the cclef (5 letters), which indicates the pitch of the notes on the staff; the fclef (5 letters), which indicates the pitch of the notes on the staff; the gclef (5 letters), which indicates the pitch of the notes on the staff; the whole NOTE (9 letters), which indicates a NOTE that lasts for four beats; and the quarter NOTE (11 letters), which indicates a NOTE that lasts for one beat.