Repeats: music symbols explained

17 symbols and terms, each explained in a sentence or two — the same dictionary the free Artform score reader uses when you tap a marking on a real score.

𝄇Repeat barline

Two dots before a thick bar line: go back to the matching sign, or to the beginning, and play it again.

1.First and second time barsalso called Voltas

Numbered brackets over the last bars of a repeat. Play the first ending, repeat, then skip it and take the second.

D.C.Da capo

From the head: go back to the very beginning. Usually al Fine, meaning play to the word Fine and stop there.

D.S.Dal segno

From the sign: go back to the segno, not to the beginning. Often al Coda, which then jumps to a tailpiece.

𝄌Coda

A tailpiece. The circled cross marks where to jump to for the ending after a da capo or dal segno.

Fine

The end. Not the end of the page: the place the piece actually stops, once a repeat has sent you back through it.

Segno

The sign that Dal Segno returns to: a landmark in the route, not something you play.

d.c.D.C. al Fine

Da capo: go back to the top and play again until the bar marked Fine.

d.s.D.S.

Dal segno: go back to the sign and play from there.

Attacca

Go straight on into the next movement, with no gap and no applause.

Segue

It follows: carry straight on, in the same manner.

Volti subito

Turn the page at once. Printed for the reader, not for the music.

Ossia

Or else: an alternative version of the passage, usually easier, printed on a small stave.

Tacet

This part is silent for the whole movement.

Da capo al fine

From the top, and stop at the word Fine.

Dal segno al coda

Back to the sign, then jump to the coda when the sign to do so appears.

bisBis

Twice. Play the marked passage a second time.

The rest of the dictionary