Musical Symbols & Navigation
A guide to repeat signs, navigation symbols, and musical terminology
Music notation includes a rich vocabulary of symbols and terms that guide performers through the piece, indicating repeats, jumps, dynamics, and expression.
Did you know? Many musical terms come from Italian, as Italy was the centre of European music during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Terms like "forte" (loud) and "piano" (soft) are still used worldwide today.
01
Bar Lines
Bar lines divide music into bars (measures), helping musicians keep their place in the music and showing where rhythmic patterns repeat.
02
Repeat Signs
Repeat signs save space and make music easier to read by indicating sections that should be played more than once.
Basic Repeat
Play the music between the repeat signs twice. The thick line with dots facing the section to be repeated.
First & Second Endings
Play through with ending 1, repeat back, then skip ending 1 and play ending 2 instead.
04
Musical Terms & Symbols Legend
A comprehensive reference of common musical terms and symbols you'll encounter in written music.
Dynamics (Volume)
pp
Pianissimo
Very soft
p
Piano
Soft
mp
Mezzo Piano
Moderately soft
mf
Mezzo Forte
Moderately loud
f
Forte
Loud
ff
Fortissimo
Very loud
cresc.
Crescendo
Gradually louder
dim.
Diminuendo
Gradually softer
Tempo (Speed)
rit.
Ritardando
Gradually slower
rall.
Rallentando
Gradually slower
accel.
Accelerando
Gradually faster
a tempo
A Tempo
Return to original tempo
rubato
Tempo Rubato
Flexible tempo
Articulation (How to Play)
𝄐
Fermata
Hold the note longer
stacc.
Staccato
Short, detached notes
legato
Legato
Smooth, connected
marc.
Marcato
Stressed, accented
ten.
Tenuto
Hold full value
Expression & Character
dolce
Dolce
Sweetly
espress.
Espressivo
Expressively
cantabile
Cantabile
In a singing style
maestoso
Maestoso
Majestically
giocoso
Giocoso
Playfully
agitato
Agitato
Agitated
Common Tempo Markings
Key Takeaways
Bar Lines
Organise music and show where sections end
Repeats
Save space by indicating sections to play twice
Navigation
Symbols like D.C., D.S., and Coda guide you through the piece
Terms
Italian terms communicate dynamics, tempo, and expression
Mastering these symbols and terms allows you to interpret written music accurately and perform with the intended expression. Many are in Italian because Italy was the birthplace of modern musical notation!