What Does Fermata Mean in Music?

: a prolongation at the discretion of the performer of a musical note, chord, or rest beyond its given time value also : the sign denoting such a prolongation. — called also hold.

What is the purpose of a fermata?

A fermata (Italian: [ferˈmaːta]; "from fermare, to stay, or stop"; also known as a hold, pause, colloquially a birdseye or cyclops eye, or as a grand pause when placed on a note or a rest) is a symbol of musical notation indicating that the note should be prolonged beyond the normal duration its note value would ...

How many beats is a fermata?

1. A fermata that contains two or more beats in the rhythm of the preceding passage.