Double whole note the "brevis" was to be considered the unit of time ("tactus"), instead of the usual "semibrevis". The old symbol , used as an alternative to the numerical proportion 2:1 in mensural notation, is carried over into modern notational practice to indicate a smaller relative value per note shape. It is normally used for music in a relatively quick tempo, where it indicates two minim (half note) beats in a bar of four crotchets (quarter notes), while is the equivalent of , with four crotchet beats . Double whole note In music, a double whole note (American), breve (international), or double
Half-time (music) Half-time (music) In popular music, half-time is a type of meter and tempo that alters the rhythmic feel by essentially "doubling the tempo resolution" or metric division/level in comparison to common-time. Thus approximates . It is not to be confused with "alla breve" or odd time. Though notes usually get the same value relative to the tempo, the way the beats are divided is altered. While much music typically has a backbeat on quarter note (crotchet) beats two and four, half time would increase the interval between backbeats to double, thus making it hit on beats three and seven, or