How is the term "duration" best defined?

The term "duration" is best defined as the length of time that something continues or lasts. In a musical context, duration refers specifically to how long a note, rest, or any musical event is sustained. Understanding duration is vital in music therapy and general music practice because it affects the rhythm, pacing, and overall feel of a piece. Musicians need to pay attention to duration to correctly interpret and express the intended emotions and dynamics of the music. This concept plays a significant role in various therapeutic activities, helping clients and therapists connect through the timing and flow of musical interactions. The other definitions relate to different aspects of measurement and experience, but they do not encompass the specific meaning of "duration" in the context of music.