Definition & Meaning of "two hundred fifty-sixth note"

What is a "two hundred fifty-sixth note"?

A two hundred fifty-sixth note is a musical symbol that represents a duration equal to one-two hundred fifty-sixth of the length of a whole note. It is shown as a filled circle with a stem and six flags. This note lasts for one hundred twenty-eighth of the time of a quarter note, making it one of the shortest note values used in music. Two hundred fifty-sixth notes are extremely rare and are used to indicate extremely fast and detailed rhythmic passages, allowing for very rapid sequences of notes in advanced musical compositions.