Repeat Signs
Repeat signs are a route through a score. They tell you which measures to play again, where a later pass takes a different ending, and when to jump back to the start or a marked point.
- repeat barlines
- numbered endings
- D.C., D.S. and coda
What should you read first?
A start repeat barline has two dots facing into the section; an end repeat has two dots facing back. Unless another instruction says otherwise, play the enclosed section twice. If you see an end repeat without a start repeat, return to the beginning of the piece or the relevant opening section. First and Second Endings explains how an ending can differ on the second pass.
What do the letter instructions do?
D.C. means go back to the beginning. D.S. means go back to the segno sign. Fine can tell you where to stop on the return. To Coda tells you when to jump to a separate closing section, provided the score has a matching coda destination. The pages for Da Capo, Dal Segno and Coda give each route in order.
How do you avoid losing your place?
Before playing, circle the destination and draw a light arrow from each jump instruction. Read a route aloud as measure groups, for example “opening, middle, opening again, stop at Fine.” On a first pass, a marker such as Fine or To Coda may not be active yet; the full instruction determines when to use it.
One-minute score scan
Find every repeat barline, numbered ending, D.C. or D.S. instruction, Fine and coda marker before the first note. A player who knows the route can keep the pulse; a player who discovers the route mid-performance may stop even when every pitch is easy.