A tre

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a wind or brass staff that carries three players (a 3, a.3., a. 3) when all three play the single line written. It lasts until individual parts return, shown by numbers (1., 2., 3.) or separate stems. After div. in a string part, a 3 means divided into three.

Abbreviations: a 3, a3, a.3., a. 3

How Composers Use It

Three players in unison give a wind line weight and a broader, less focused tone than one — the way Mahler makes a woodwind melody cut through heavy brass. Check that the line lies well for all three, and that a player who doubles (third flute on piccolo) is holding the right instrument. Mark clearly which players continue when the unison breaks.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, first movement (Trauermarsch), oboes (“Drei Hoboen.”), m. 72: “a.3.” at ff — all three oboes on the one written line.

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