Music theory > Lessons > Duration of sounds > Repeat signs > Da Capo

Da Capo

Learn all about Da Capo and about Da Capo Al Coda. Our examples will how you how to read and to play a score with Da Capo.

In Italian, Da Capo (D.C.) means from head, and in music theory its symbol is: da capo

Da Capo (D.C.) indicates that you have to go back to the beginning (just one time), like this:

You play the first measure as usual.

You play the second measure as usual.

You play the third measure as usual.

You play the fourth measure as usual, and after having played the measure fully, you will notice the indication D.C. (Da Capo) which mean from head in Italian.

So we go to the head of the piece.

You play the first measure one more time.

You play the second measure one more time.

You play the third measure one more time.

You play the fourth measure one more time, and we stop here.

Da Capo al fine

In Italian, Da Capo al fine means from head to end, so after you go back to the beginning you have to stop at the Fine indication, like this:

You play the first measure as usual.

You play the second measure as usual.

You play the third measure as usual, but you notice the Italian word Fine which means end.

You play the fourth measure as usual.

You play the fifth measure as usual, and after having played the measure fully, you will notice the indication D.C. al Fine (Da Capo al Fine) which mean from head to end indication in Italian.

So we go to the head of the piece and we will stop when we will find Fine indication.

You play the first measure one more time.

You play the second measure one more time.

You play the third measure one more time.

And we stop her because of the Italian word Fine (end)

Da Capo al Coda

In Italian, Da Capo al coda means from head to the coda, so after you go back to the beginning you have to go to the beginning and jump at the coda indication, like this:

We play the first measure as usual.

We play the second measure as usual.

We play the third measure as usual and you notice the Italians words To Coda which means go to tail (to the ending)

We play the fourth measure as usual.

We play the fifth measure as usual and after that you notice the indication D.C al CODA (Da Capo al CODA) which means go to the end and next to the ending (to the coda).