Fine
Definition. End — a marking indicating where to end the piece during a D.C. or D.S. repeat.
Detailed Explanation
Fine, Italian for ‘end’, is a marking placed in the score to indicate where the piece should end during a da capo or dal segno repeat. On the first pass through the music, the fine marking is ignored; on the repeat (after D.C. or D.S.), the music ends at the fine marking rather than continuing.
The marking is essential for ABA-form pieces where the repeat would otherwise continue past the desired ending. By placing fine at the end of the A section, the composer ensures that on the repeat (D.C. al fine), the music stops at the close of A rather than continuing into B again.
Without the fine marking, the performer would have no way to know where to stop the repeat. The combination D.C. al fine + fine marking is one of the most common formal devices in classical music.
Etymology
Italian, ‘end’, from Latin finis.
In Practice
Note the location of fine on the first pass through the music. On the repeat, stop at fine rather than continuing. The marking is not active on the first pass.
Notable Examples
- Most composers — ABA-form pieces (ubiquitous formal marking)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
音楽で Fine はどういう意味ですか？
End — a marking indicating where to end the piece during a D.C. or D.S. repeat.
Fine という言葉はどこから来ていますか？
Italian, ‘end’, from Latin finis.
Fine は実際にどう演奏しますか？
Note the location of fine on the first pass through the music. On the repeat, stop at fine rather than continuing. The marking is not active on the first pass.
Fine に関連する音楽用語は？
関連する用語：Da Capo, D.C. al Fine, Coda。
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