segno

formSEN-yofrom Italian

A sign (𝄋) used in musical notation to mark the point to which the performer must return when direc‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍ted by dal segno

In Depth

The segno is a cursive S-shaped symbol with two dots that marks a specific location in the score.‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍ When the performer encounters D.S. (dal segno), they return to the segno and play from that point. The instruction D.S. al Fine means return to the segno and play until the word Fine; D.S. al Coda means return to the segno and play until the coda sign, then jump to the coda. This system allows complex repeat structures without rewriting entire passages.

Did you know?

The segno symbol evolved from a medieval scribal mark used to indicate important passages in manuscripts — it was adapted for musical use in the early Baroque.

Related Terms

dal segno da capo coda sign repeat sign

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dal segno→da capo→coda sign→repeat sign→