Music Rests

[Megan]

What is the difference between using a Breve and a Semibreve?
Why does a Breve fill the whole space between the lines?

[Chris]

A breve is twice as long as a semibreve. You wouldn't use a breve in, for example, common time, because a semibreve takes up all the beats in a measure. But in other time signatures you might see it.

[Peter]

The Breve is not common in instrumental music, I can't think of an example off hand in piano music. Also the Semibreve rest is used as a whole bar rest regardless of the time signature (except 4/2).

[Megan]

Do I hold my finger down on the B natural and the B flat,, whole notes...? Thanks.

[Chris]

Do I hold my finger down on the B natural and the B flat,, whole notes...? Thanks.

Yes, you hold those whole notes down with one finger while playing the other notes with other fingers. If the piece is explicitly for the piano you may see other cases where you need to use the pedal to hold a note while you move your hand to play other notes. But if you can hold the key down, like in your example, you do that.

[Megan]

Yes, you hold those whole notes down with one finger while playing the other notes with other fingers. If the piece is explicitly for the piano you may see other cases where you need to use the pedal to hold a note while you move your hand to play other notes. But if you can hold the key down, like in your example, you do that.

Many thanks for confirming that Chris..