What is typically true of a musical 'phrase'?

A musical 'phrase' often represents a complete musical thought, similar to a sentence in language. In music, a phrase serves as a standalone idea that conveys emotion or a specific message, and it typically has a sense of closure or completeness. Just as a well-structured sentence includes various elements to communicate clearly, a phrase might consist of differing lengths and notes, but ultimately it brings together musical ideas in a coherent way.

The other choices present misconceptions about what a phrase entails. While phrases can vary in length and complexity, they are not strictly defined by tempo, cannot equate singularly to a note, and aren't bound by a specific number of measures, such as the minimum of eight. Instead, phrases may be shorter or longer, defined more by their musicality and expression than by rigid structural rules.