Fermata below the note
A fermata below a note, chord or rest gives the same open-ended hold as one above it. Its inverted shape and lower placement are layout choices, often used for a lower voice; they do not reverse the instruction.
- Holds and pauses
- Below the note
- A curve or arc, A dot
Do not confuse it with
The ordinary fermata arches over its dot; the below form is inverted under its dot, but the hold is the same.
What the sources say
- SMuFL — Holds and pauses
fermataAbove — Fermata above ... fermataBelow — Fermata below
- MusicXML 4.0 — The fermata element
The type describes whether a fermata is upright or inverted.
- Breaths and pauses
you can position a fermata above or below the staff by selecting the desired option in ‘Placement on staff’
- Dorico SE — Positions of holds and pauses
For staves with multiple voices, fermatas are also shown inverted below the staff.