A whole note (American term) or semibreve (British term) is a musical note that lasts for four beats in common time (4/4 time signature), equivalent to two half notes or four quarter notes
. It is represented by a hollow oval note head without a stem, distinguishing it from the half note, which has a stem
. The whole rest (or semibreve rest) corresponds to the whole note in duration and signifies a silence lasting four beats, typically covering an entire measure in 4/4 time. It is depicted as a filled-in rectangle hanging from the fourth line of the musical staff, which differentiates it from the half rest that sits on the third line
. In summary:
- Whole note : hollow oval with no stem, lasts 4 beats.
- Whole rest : filled rectangle hanging below the fourth line, indicates silence for 4 beats.
Both are fundamental rhythmic values in Western music, serving as the longest standard note and rest durations commonly used in notation
