Noteheads may be black (a circular or oval shape filled in) or white and are used on the staff to indicate pitch. The shape of noteheads has differed historically, as in plainchant.

符可以是黑色的（圆形或卵形）或白色的，用五线谱以表明音高。符的形状历有很多种，比如单音歌颂中。