The traffic signs of a score
| 𝄆 𝄇 | Repeat signs: play the passage between the two signs again. If there’s only the closing one, go back to the beginning. |
| 1. 2. | First and second endings: the first time, play ending 1; on the repeat, skip to ending 2. |
| D.C. | Da Capo: go back to the beginning. |
| D.S. 𝄋 | Dal Segno: go back to the sign. |
| Fine | The end. After a D.C. or D.S. “al Fine”, stop here. |
| 𝄌 Coda | After “al Coda”, when you reach the first Coda sign, jump to the final Coda. |
| 𝄐 | Fermata: hold the note longer than its normal value. |
Follow the map
A score with a repeat sign and D.C. al Fine. In what order do you play?
A
BFine
C
D D.C. al Fine
Dynamics: volume
Written as Italian letters: pp (pianissimo, very soft), p (piano, soft), mp (mezzo piano, medium soft), mf (mezzo forte, medium loud), f (forte, loud), ff (fortissimo, very loud). A sign that opens up (<) is a crescendo; one that closes (>) is a decrescendo.
Articulation: how to play it
- Dot above or below the note: staccato, short and detached.
- > over the note: accent, louder than its neighbors.
- Short dash: tenuto, hold the full value.
- Curve between different notes: legato, or on guitar, a slur (next mission).
Tempo: speed
| Term | Meaning | Approx. bpm |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | very slow, broad | 40–60 |
| Adagio | slow, calm | 66–76 |
| Andante | walking pace | 76–108 |
| Moderato | moderate | 108–120 |
| Allegro | fast, lively | 120–156 |
| Presto | very fast | 168–200 |
rit. or rall. = slowing down. accel. = speeding up. a tempo = back to the original tempo.
Quick check
Get every answer right to finish. Mistakes are part of it: read the explanation and try again.
1. D.C. al Fine means:
2. mf means:
3. Allegro is:
On the acoustic guitar: Play "Frère Jacques" with the first half p (soft) and the second half f (loud), and end with a rit. Dynamics are part of reading.On the electric guitar: Play "Frère Jacques" with the first half p (soft) and the second half f (loud), and end with a rit. Dynamics are part of reading.