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Segno repeat structure

\repeat segno differs from \repeat volta only in the resulting notation. Refer to the preceding sections for general information on entering music with repetition, alternatives, and variation. This section covers particulars of segno notation without fully reiterating the input syntax.

\repeat segno notates repetition with D.C. or D.S. instructions. It marks the beginning of the repeated section with a segno mark when it is not the beginning of the piece. It also marks alternative endings with coda marks in lieu of volta brackets, provided that the endings are intended to be performed in order, e.g., not \volta 1,3 then \volta 2,4.

When alternative bar numbering is enabled, it is applied to alternatives notated with volta brackets whether they are created by \repeat segno or \repeat volta, but it is not applied to alternative endings notated with coda marks.

Demonstrations of common uses follow.

al fine

Repeat instructions include al Fine if a \fine command appears at any prior point (see Al-fine repeats).

music = \fixed c' {
  f1
  \repeat segno 2 {
    g1
    \volta 2 \fine
    \volta 1 a1
  }
  \section
}

\score { \music }
\score { \unfoldRepeats \music }

alla coda

The beginning of each alternative ending is marked with an implied \codaMark \default. Repeat instructions in alternatives include ‘al … e poi la …’ referring to the mark at the first alternative and the mark to skip to. Provided that the duration of the final alternative is zero, the automatic mark is suppressed, allowing a section label to be set instead.

music = \fixed c' {
  f1
  \repeat segno 2 {
    g1
    \alternative {
      \volta 1 { \repeat unfold 4 { a2 } }
      \volta 2 \volta #'() {
        \section
        \sectionLabel "Coda"
      }
    }
  }
  b1
  \fine
}

\score { \music }
\score { \unfoldRepeats \music }

The return instruction can be abbreviated by setting an alternative formatting procedure (see Segno repeat appearance).

da capo

Repeat instructions include D.C. when the repeated section begins at the beginning of the score. The supported da capo cases parallel the supported dal segno cases.

music = \fixed c' {
  \repeat segno 2 {
    g1
  }
  \fine
}

\score { \music }
\score { \unfoldRepeats \music }

dal segno

Repeat instructions include D.S. when the repeated section begins after the beginning of the score. The beginning of the repeated section is marked with an implied \segnoMark \default.

music = \fixed c' {
  f1
  \repeat segno 2 {
    g1
  }
  \repeat segno 2 {
    a1
  }
  \fine
}

\score { \music }
\score { \unfoldRepeats \music }

A dal-segno repeat starting at the beginning of the score can be forced (see Segno repeat appearance).

multiple return

A repeat instruction to be performed more than once includes ‘… V.’. The number of times the instruction is performed is one less than the number of times the passage is performed.

music = \fixed c' {
  \repeat segno 3 {
    g1
  }
  \fine
}

\score { \music }
\score { \unfoldRepeats \music }

See also

Music Glossary: da capo, dal segno, fine.

Notation Reference: Al-fine repeats, Alternative endings, Automatic bar lines, Other variation in repeated sections, Section divisions, Section labels, Simple repeats.

Snippets: Repeats.

Internals Reference: CodaMark, JumpScript, SectionLabel, SegnoMark.