What is whole rest?

A whole rest, also known as a semibreve rest, is a type of musical rest that lasts for an entire measure of music. It is denoted by a small rectangular symbol that sits on the middle line of the staff.

When a whole rest appears in a piece of music, it indicates that there should be complete silence for the duration of one full measure, regardless of the time signature of the piece.

Whole rests can occur in any voice or instrument part and are commonly used in orchestral, choral, and band music. They are essential in helping performers keep track of their place in the score and maintain appropriate rhythm and timing.

In terms of duration, a whole rest is equivalent to a whole note. This means that in a 4/4 time signature, a whole rest would last for four beats, while in a 3/4 time signature, it would last for three beats.

Overall, the whole rest is an important component of musical notation, facilitating accurate and precise performance of complex music compositions.