Multibar rest

A thick horizontal line with two vertical endings (‘H’ bar) is the “modern” way of denoting a rest lasting two more more bars, according to the number written over the ‘H’ - here there is 54 bar rest for this player (typically someone in an orchestra or big band).

Repeated notes

Repeated single notes are denoted with a diagonal bar - one bar meaning repeat as quavers, two bars as semiquavers and so on.

The same conventions are used to denote repeated pairs of notes, sometimes in the form above, sometimes in the form below.

When the repetition of the note, or pair of notes, is meant to be as fast as possible, it’s a “tremolo” and this word should be added to the score to convey this meaning to the player.

Any arbitrary group of notes - sequence or chord - can be denoted as repeated by use of a diagonal line.

A group of semiquavers requires two closely spaced diagonal lines, demi-semiquavers need three and so on.

A whole bar can be repeated using a diagonal line with a dot either side.

“ Repeats” are just short-hand ways of writing:-

•  Identical or nearly identical sections of music
• Rests spanning many bars of music
• Repeated notes or groups of notes

Double bar-lines and dots mark off sections to be repeated - here section 1 is played twice and then section 2 is played twice

Repeat sections

Here section 1 is played three times. In the first 2 playings, bars 3 and 4 are played, but on the third playing, these bars are skipped and playing continues from bar 5

“D.C.” Stands for “Da Capo” and is found usually at the end of the piece. It means go back to the beginning ( “da capo” - the head) and play again up to  “Fine” (final). Sometimes written out fully as “da capo al fine”.  Here, then section 1 is played, followed by section 2, and then finished off with another playing of section 1.

“D.S.” Stands for “Dal Segno” and is found usually at the end of the piece. It means go back to the sign ( ) and play again up to  “Fine” (final). Sometimes written out fully as “dal segno al fine”.  Here, then section 1 is played, followed by section 2, and then finished off with  playing of section 3.