semibreve

Semibreve is a note value in Western musical notation. The term comes from Latin semibrevis, meaning "half of breve." In British usage it names the whole note; in American terminology it is simply the whole note.

In modern notation, a semibreve lasts for four crotchets (quarter notes); its absolute duration depends on tempo, but its relative value is four beats in common time such as 4/4. In early mensural notation of the medieval and Renaissance periods, the semibreve was a fundamental unit of duration, longer than the minim and shorter than the breve, with its exact length determined by the mensuration signs (time signatures) in force.

Notation: In modern scores, a semibreve is shown as an open (hollow) note head with no stem. In early notation, it appeared in various shapes and could be affected by the mensural context.

Subdivision: The semibreve can be subdivided into two minims or into four crotchets, and can be tied across barlines to extend its duration as needed in longer works.

History: The concept of semibreve evolved from the medieval breve into a standard unit in Renaissance notation, and remains the basis for the modern whole note in British-English terminology.

See also: Breve, Whole note, Quarter note.