Types of fermatas

There are different types of fermatas available in Dorico. Each fermata indicates a suggested pause duration whilst leaving room for interpretation.

Fermata	Description
Very short fermata	Indicates that a note is held only a fraction longer than the rhythm indicates.
Short fermata	Indicates that a note is held a little bit longer than the rhythm indicates.
Short fermata (Henze)	Indicates that a note is held a little bit longer than the rhythm indicates, as used by Hans Werner Henze.
Fermata	Indicates that a note is held for longer than the rhythm indicates.
Long fermata	Indicates that a note is held quite a lot longer than the rhythm indicates.
Long fermata (Henze)	Indicates that a note is held quite a lot longer than the rhythm indicates, as used by Hans Werner Henze.
Very long fermata	Indicates that a note is held for much longer than the rhythm indicates.
Curlew (Britten)	Indicates that a note or rest is held until the next synchronization point in asynchronous music, as used by Benjamin Britten.

Fermatas can be divided into two styles. Because their meanings overlap, it can be confusing for players if both styles are used in a single project.

Style	Very short fermata	Short fermata	Fermata	Long fermata	Very long fermata
Normal
Henze	N/A				N/A