Note Block

Note blocks are sort of a combination of a Trampoline and a Block. When Mario or any creature or object that can collide with objects stands on the note block, they will bounce upward, like on a trampoline (and, like with a trampoline, the player can jump as the note block descends to bounce off higher). When the note block is struck from below, it bounces, similarly to what happens when Mario strikes a normal block when not Super.

Items and creatures can be placed inside a Note Block. If struck from below, the item pops out of the top as normal. If bounced on from above, the item falls out of the bottom of the note block. This includes vines, which will grow downward from the note block until reaching another block.

When a note block is shaken, it becomes a Music Block (beige-colored, with an eighth-note instead of a quarter-note). Music blocks behave identically to note blocks, except that when an object bounces on them from above, it creates a musical tone. The pitch is based on the height of the block on the map (its initial position, if it's on a track), and the timbre is based on the type of object that struck the block. All instruments are low-fi MIDI.

A map can be designed to play music using music blocks if scrolling is at a fixed rate (an autoscrolling level, or one in which Mario is stuck on a moving platform). Usually, each object is placed directly above the music block and overlapping a cloud block, so that each one hits their music block once. Moving enemies may additionally need to be trapped in a "cage" of blocks so they don't run onto other blocks (or Mario). Long, complex music requires a mix of power-ups and enemies to stay below the stage limits.