Double Bar
Definition. Two parallel vertical lines marking the end of a section or piece, sometimes also indicating a repeat.
Detailed Explanation
The double bar is two parallel vertical lines drawn through the staff. It marks the end of a major section of music — often the end of a movement, the end of a piece, or the boundary between formal sections. The double bar provides visual emphasis that something significant is concluding.
Variations exist. The standard double bar has two thin lines (=). The final bar line, marking the end of the piece, has one thin line and one thick line on the right (𝄁). The repeat barline has two dots before the double bar (indicating ‘repeat back to here’) or after (indicating ‘end of repeat’).
The double bar is a structural marker. It tells the listener (and the performer) that the music has reached a significant point — perhaps the close of an exposition, the end of a movement, or the beginning of a new section. Reading double bars correctly is essential to understanding the music’s formal structure.
Etymology
English, descriptive — ‘double’ + ‘bar (line)’.
In Practice
Recognize the meaning of each double bar: section break, repeat, or end of piece. The exact form of the double bar communicates which case applies.
Notable Examples
- All composers — Universal usage (structural notation element)
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Hvad betyder Double Bar i musik?
Two parallel vertical lines marking the end of a section or piece, sometimes also indicating a repeat.
Hvor kommer ordet Double Bar fra?
English, descriptive — ‘double’ + ‘bar (line)’.
Hvordan udføres Double Bar i praksis?
Recognize the meaning of each double bar: section break, repeat, or end of piece. The exact form of the double bar communicates which case applies.
Hvilke musikudtryk er beslægtede med Double Bar?
Beslægtede begreber: Bar Line, Fine.
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