Are There 21 musical notes

In Western music, there are typically 12 distinct musical notes in an octave, which include the seven natural notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and five sharps/flats (A♯/B♭, C♯/D♭, D♯/E♭, F♯/G♭, G♯/A♭). However, in other musical systems, such as Indian Classical Music, there can be more nuanced notes and microtones, leading to a broader interpretation of musical notes. Therefore, while 21 notes may not align with Western conventions, some musical traditions may incorporate a greater variety of pitches.