Da Capo

From the beginning

"Da Capo" (abbreviated as "D.C".) is a common musical term originating from Italian, meaning "from the beginning". This instruction is used in sheet music to indicate that performers should return to the beginning of a piece or a designated section and replay a portion or the entire composition.

When "D.C". is encountered in sheet music, performers are instructed to go back to the beginning of the piece and restart. This instruction is often used in conjunction with other markings, such as "D.C. al Fine", where "Fine" is another Italian term meaning "end". This means that performers should return to the beginning and continue playing until they reach the point marked "Fine", at which they should stop playing.

The use of "Da Capo" allows for the creation of repetitive structures in music, adding variety and richness to the composition. Performers can return to the beginning as directed, but they may also add variations or embellishments with each repetition to enhance the expressiveness of the music.

This instruction is very common in classical music, especially in works such as symphonies, concertos, and operas. It provides clear guidance on the structure of the piece, enabling performers to faithfully execute the composer's intentions while also introducing a formal element of repetition into the music.

Example of Da Capo

The Different Repeats | Repeats | Da Capo | Dal Segno | Fine, Coda | D.C. | D.S.