Coda
A coda is a closing section of music. In a score with a jump, To Coda tells you when to leave the main route, and the coda sign tells you where to land for the ending.
- closing section
- To Coda = departure
- coda sign = destination
What does the sign look like?
The common coda sign resembles a circle crossed by a plus sign. It often stands above the measure where the closing section begins. The words To Coda appear earlier and mark the place to leave the repeated route. A coda is therefore both a musical ending and a navigation destination.
When do you jump?
Follow the full instruction, such as D.C. al Coda or D.S. al Coda. First go back to the start or segno. On the return, play until To Coda, then jump to the coda section. Do not skip ahead to the coda the first time you see its destination sign.
Is a coda the same as Da Capo?
Check a score before playing
Find the initial route, the D.C. or D.S. instruction, To Coda, and the coda destination. Say the whole order in plain words. If one marker is missing, check the edition or ask your ensemble leader before performing rather than guessing where to jump.