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→Repeats and Codas
== Repeats and Codas ==
Some measures are marked with a thick vertical line followed by one of normal size then two vertically-aligned dots (like a colon - ":"). This is called a repeat sign and indicates that this measure or section will be repeated. When the same marks are found in the opposite order, that means to return to the measure with the initial repeat sign. If there is no initial repeat sign, it means to repeat from the beginning. If the measure/section are to be repeated more than once, a multiple is indicated near the final repeat sign (2x, 3x, 4x, etc.)- this indicates the total number of times the passage is to be played. For instance, "4x" or "x4" means to play it once initially, then repeat 3 more times.
Often the last (or last few) measures before a repeat sign will have a bracket above it with "1." or "2.". This indicates which measure (or group of measures) to play based upon which repetition is being played. For the initial playthrough, you play the "1." and on the repeat play the "2.". This allows sheet music to be more condensed. Often you will play the same ending multiple times ("1., 2., 3." for the same measure or group of measures) with the final time playing a different measure ("4.").
The symbols "D.C." and "D.S." indicate to jump back a large distance in the piece, which may span numerous repeated measures/section. "D.C." indicates to jump all the way back to the beginning of the piece, while "D.S." means to jump back to the measure marked by the Segno sign (looks like an S surrounded by dots with a line through it). They are followed by "al fine" or "al coda". "Al fine" means to play the repetition until the end of the piece, while "al coda" means to play until hitting the measure marked with the Coda sign (looks like crosshairs - a circle with a + sign through it). Once hitting the Coda, the piece jumps to the measure indicated by the next Coda (like a warp/portal). The Segno and Coda symbols only apply once hitting the "D.C." or "D.S.". On the initial playthrough, they are ignored (although you should take note of the Segno, so you know where to jump back to from a "D.S.").