segno

Definition: The musical term segno – Italian for “sign” – refers to a symbol involved in a complex system of musical repeats. In word form, it’s most often abbreviated D.S. (dal segno):

1. dal segno: “[Start playing] from the sign.”


2. D.S. al fine (dal segno al fine): “[Play] from the segno to the end [of the music].”


3. D.S. al coda (dal segno al coda): “[Play] from the segno to the coda mark.”

• More on Segno and Coda Repeats

Musical Trivia: English-speakers often refer to the segno as a “segno sign,” which redundantly translates to “sign sign.”

Also Known As:

• signe (Fr)
• Zeichen (Ger)

Pronunciation: say'-nyoh


Related Musical Terms:

• coda sign
• (D.C.) da capo
• al fine
• repeat barline
• volta bracket