Lesson 17: Repeats and First and Second Endings

Lesson 17: Repeats and First and Second Endings

by Tavia Zerman

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​A repeat sign is two dots placed before or after a double bar. If there are two of them with the dots facing each other, that means you repeat what is in between them.

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​In this example, you play the whole thing, then you go back to measure 3 and play from there to the end.

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​If there is only one repeat sign, it will mean that you go back to the beginning and play the whole thing again!

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​In this example, you would play the entire thing twice.

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​Sometimes, the composer wants you to mostly repeat a section, but wants the ending to be a little different the second time. Then they use 1st and 2nd endings.

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​In this example, you would play until you get to the repeat sign at the end of the 1st ending (measure 8). Then you go back to the beginning, but this time when you reach the 1st ending, you SKIP those two measures and go to measure 9. So it would be measures 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 10

Fill in the Blanks

Which measure is played after measure 4 the first time?

Fill in the Blanks

Which measure is played BEFORE measure 5 the second time?

Fill in the Blanks

Which measure is played after measure 4?

Fill in the Blanks

Which measure is played before measure 5?