Definitions by !!--Mack_Mulligan--!!

longa

An extremely long note, worth four whole notes or "semibreves."

You don't see the longa often anymore, but in the UK, notes only start being called long when it is at least four whole notes, or in our way, "semibreves" (half of a short)

longa by !!--Mack_Mulligan--!! December 6, 2025

crotchet

A quarter note.

There is a cooler name for a "quarter note" which you may hear in the UK: a "crotchet."
The UK has so many weird names for note values.

crotchet by !!--Mack_Mulligan--!! December 6, 2025

semibreve

The other name for a whole note. How is a whole a half of something?

If you are in the UK, you may hear the term "semibreve" in place of the "whole note." If a semibreve is 100%, then a breve is 200%. And "breve" means short!

semibreve by !!--Mack_Mulligan--!! December 6, 2025

breve

200% of something. Much like how a breve note takes up 200% of a 4/4 measure. Not commonly seen.

You need to put in your breve effort to pass the exam.

breve by !!--Mack_Mulligan--!! December 6, 2025