Activities Hobbies fermata Print A fermata is placed above the staff, unless it affects a lower plane of action (as seen on the top staff). Image © Brandy Kraemer Hobbies Playing Music Playing Piano Music Education Playing Guitar Home Recording Contests Couponing Freebies Frugal Living Fine Arts & Crafts Astrology Card Games & Gambling Cars & Motorcycles Learn More By Brandy Kraemer Updated on 03/17/17 Definition: A fermata is an articulation mark that allows a note or chord to be held for as long as desired. A fermata may also be considered a tempo command. A fermata is written upside down below the staff if it affects a lower plane of action (see top staff in image). If a fermata is written over a barline, there will be a pause between the measures. Also Known As: bird’s eye; holdcorona (It)point d’orgue (Fr)Fermate (Ger)calderón (Sp) Pronunciation: More Musical Symbols: staccato F-clef (M.D.) mano destra tie 8va