Hengähdysmerkki

Hengähdysmerkki is a Finnish term that translates to "breath mark" or "pause mark." It is a typographical symbol used in music notation to indicate a brief rest or pause for the performer. This pause is typically shorter than a full rest, allowing the musician to take a breath or simply to provide a slight separation between musical phrases.

The appearance of a hengähdysmerkki can vary slightly depending on the style and era of notation, but it is commonly represented by a comma-like symbol placed above or below the staff. Its function is to guide the interpretation and phrasing of a musical piece, contributing to its overall expressiveness and clarity. While not always strictly mandatory, it serves as a valuable visual cue for musicians. The precise duration of the pause indicated by a hengähdysmerkki can be somewhat flexible and is often left to the performer's discretion and the musical context, though it is generally understood to be a very short interruption of sound. It is distinct from other rest symbols like the quarter rest or half rest, which indicate more defined periods of silence.