Expression & tempo
Fermata
A fermata is a symbol, a dot under an arc, placed over a note or rest indicating it should be held longer than its written value, for a duration the performer or conductor chooses.
There is no fixed length. Convention suggests roughly double the written value as a starting point, but the real determinant is context: a fermata over the last chord of a symphony and one over a mid-phrase rest are different gestures entirely. In an ensemble the conductor decides, and the players watch rather than count.
A fermata over a bar line or a rest indicates a general pause, a silence of indeterminate length before the music resumes. Where the music is meant to continue without a break afterwards, the score usually says attacca.
Related terms
Try a short guided practice session
Read a note, try a short exercise and check your understanding. No account or microphone needed. If you want to save progress afterwards, a free account adds five instrument lessons and five theory lessons. No card.