REPETITIONS

In this chapter, we shall learn how to annotate repetitions. A lot of space can be saved in a score, when a repetition is not written out but annotated as a repetition.

Repeat signs are special signs that are used to mark the repetition of a certain part of a composition. The next figure shows the repeat sign that is used to mark the beginning of the repetition and the one that is used to mark the end of repetition. Instead of once, the part of the composition between the two signs is played two times: from the beginning of the repetition to the end of the repetition and then again from the beginning of the repetition to the end of the repetition. Most often, repeat signs appear as measure lines. That is, a certain number of whole measures are repeated. However, repeat signs can also appear between the measure lines. 

Figure: Repeat signs

For mathematically inclined readers, the following graph shows exactly how a composition with repeat signs is performed. The horizontal axis of the graph corresponds to the measures of the composition, from the first measure to the last measure. The vertical axis of the graph corresponds to time, from the moment when performance starts to the moment when performance ends. Thus, on the graph, we can track how playing position changes as time goes i.e. as we move up in the graph. 

Figure: Performing a composition with repeat signs

Each repetition can have a different ending. These alternate endings are marked with volta signs. “Volta” in English means “time” (like in “prima volta” = “first time” or “seconda volta” = “second time”). The next figure shows repeat signs and volta signs. This is played: from the beginning of the repetition to the end of the repetition (including playing the first ending), again from the beginning of the repetition to the beginning of the first ending and then the second ending is played instead of the first ending. Most often, two different endings occur in compositions. However, any number of different endings can occur. 

Figure: Repeat signs and volta signs

The following graph shows exactly how a composition with repeat signs and volta signs is performed.

Figure: Performing a composition with repeat signs and volta signs

Also, signs based on Italian terms are used for certain cases of repetitions. They are positioned above the staff. The rest of this chapter explains these signs. 

“Da Capo al Fine” or the abbreviation “D.C. al Fine” is used together with “Fine“. When “Da Capo al Fine” occurs, the execution of a composition should start again from the beginning until “Fine” occurs, where the execution is finished. “Da capo al fine” in English means “from the beginning to the end” while “fine” means “end”.

The following graph shows exactly how a composition with Da Capo al Fine is performed.

Figure: Performing a composition with Da Capo al Fine

“Da Capo al Coda” or the abbreviation “D.C. al Coda” is used together with the coda sign and “Coda”. The coda sign is shown in the next figure. When “Da Capo al Coda” occurs, the execution of a composition should start again from the beginning until the coda sign occurs. Then, execution should continue with the ending part of the composition which is marked with “Coda”. “Da capo al coda” in English means “from the beginning to the tail” while “coda” means “tail”. 

Figure: The coda sign

The following graph shows exactly how a composition with Da Capo al Coda is performed.

Figure: Performing a composition with Da Capo al Coda

“Dal Segno al Fine” or the abbreviation “D.S. al Fine” is used together with the sign and “Fine”. The sign is shown in the next figure. When “Dal Segno al Fine” occurs, the execution of a composition should start again from the sign until “Fine” occurs, where the execution is finished. “Dal segno al fine” in English means “from the sign to the end” while “segno” means “sign”.

Figure: The sign

The following graph shows exactly how a composition with Dal Segno al Fine is performed.

Figure: Performing a composition with Dal Segno al Fine

“Dal Segno al Coda” or the abbreviation “D.S. al Coda” is used together with the sign, the coda sign and “Coda”. When “Dal Segno al Coda” occurs, the execution of a composition should start again from the sign until the coda sign occurs. Then, execution should continue with the ending part of the composition which is marked with “Coda”. “Dal segno al coda” in English means “from the sign to the coda”.

Figure: Performing a composition with Dal Segno al Coda

When playing the repetition after “Da capo” or “Dal segno”, any repeat signs (if they occur) are ignored. Also, only last volta signs are played. In music, inner repeats are not played during the outer repeat.