A caesura is a pause in a discourse, a verse line, or a song. A caesura usually indicates complete quiet, but not for long. A caesura is a brief halt or stoppage. A caesura is a musical notation signifying a gap in the music that can be used by a trumpet player to collect his breath. There are two types of caesuras: internal and external. An internal caesura occurs within a section of a piece, while an external caesura ends one section and starts another. Internal caesuras are often marked by a slash (//) on the score paper. External caesuras are indicated by a full stop (.). Internal caesuras are useful when separating sections of a work that have similar moods or themes. For example, an internal caesura can be placed between the recitative and the aria in a classical opera. It allows the singer time to recover from the intense emotions of the recitative without interrupting the dramatic tension of the aria. Similarly, an internal caesura can be used before a new section of a work is introduced, allowing the audience to become familiar with its characters and atmosphere before being thrown into the excitement of the new scene. External caesuras are useful when separating sections of a work that do not belong together thematically or stylistically.