What is a semi brieve in music?

In music, a semibreve (also known as a whole note in American English) is a note that lasts for four beats. It is the longest note value in the standard notation system, and is often used to represent the first beat of a measure. The semibreve is represented by a hollow oval-shaped note head, and is typically placed on the third space of the staff for notes in the treble clef, and on the first line for notes in the bass clef.

Semibreves are commonly used in classical music, particularly in slow-moving pieces. They can also be used to create a sense of space and grandeur in a piece of music, as their long duration can help to build tension and atmosphere.

The term "semibreve" comes from the Latin words "semi" (meaning "half") and "brevis" (meaning "short"), referring to the fact that the semibreve is half the duration of a breve, another note value that is no longer commonly used.