A repeated section might end differently than its first iteration: the repeated
section might end differently or it might make a transition to a new section.
Composers employ “First and Second Endings” to serve this function.

Figure 1.35

First and Second Endings

A passage repeated multiple times is so indicated by listing the number of
repetitions in the first ending. In Jazz notation and vernacular music, this may be
accompanied by an instruction at the beginning of the passage that indicates the
number of iterations, for example,

3x’s

, meaning “repeat this passage three times.”

Figure 1.36

Multiple Endings

At times in a composition, it is desirable or necessary to repeat an entire earlier
passage, or return to the beginning of the piece. Rather than re-write the particular
passage, specific notational expedients evolved to accommodate this. These
shortcuts employed Italian phrases, accompanied by specific symbols. These phases
and symbols are directions to the performer as to what segment is repeated and
how to conclude the piece.

1.

Da Capo

(“from the head…”): return to the beginning of the piece.

Abbreviated as

D.C.

2.

Dal Segno

(“from the sign…”): return to the “sign.” Abbreviated as

D.S.

The

segno

is a special symbol, shown in

Figure 1.37 "D.C. al Fine, D.S. al

Coda"

.

3. …

al Fine

(“to the finish”): Most often used in conjunction with

Da Capo

,

the word

Fine

appears above the music at the point which tells the

performer to end the piece.

4. …

Al Coda

(“ to the tail”): Most often used in conjunction with

Dal Segno

,

this symbol (see

Figure 1.37 "D.C. al Fine, D.S. al Coda"

) instructs the

performer to “jump” to a final, separate, concluding section of the
piece.

Chapter 1 The Elements of Rhythm: Sound, Symbol, and Time

1.3 Music Notation Practices

39