1.6 Abbreviations and signs

The abbreviations in music are of two kinds, namely, abbreviations of terms relating to musical expression, and the true musical abbreviations by the help of which certain passages, chords, etc., may be notated in a shortened form. You will learn about repeat signs, the fermata and octave sign.

1. Repeat signs

	repeat	repeat from the beginning.
	D.C. (Da Capo)	from the beginning.
	Fine	end.
	D.C. al Fine	repeat from the beginning and play to the end.
	prima volta, seconda volta	play the measures under bracket 1 the 1st time only, the measures under bracket 2 the 2nd time.

Examples

How do you perform repeat signs?

How do you perform prima volta, seconda volta?.

2. Fermata

fermata

hold the note longer than its value.

A fermata is notated above a note or rest. The performing musician can decide how long the note or rest should be held.

3. Octave sign

ottava

play the notes one octave (8 notes) higher than written.

Example

How do you perform 8va?