Al

As Printed on a Score

Appears inside phrases, either before the place a direction leads to (“D.C. al Fine”, “D.S. al Coda”, “dim. al niente”) or, as alla, before a style to imitate (“Alla Marcia”, “alla breve”). Before a vowel it is elided (all’ottava). In process directions it marks where the instruction ends.

Also spelled: alla, all’, all'

How Composers Use It

Al and alla do two different jobs. In repeat and process directions they name a destination: al Fine, al segno and al niente tell the player where the instruction ends. Before a style or genre, alla asks for a manner: alla marcia, alla turca, alla zingarese. Prefer the established phrases, which players parse at a glance, and watch the gender: al Fine refers to the printed word Fine, while fino alla fine means until the end.

Example

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, finale, piccolo, m. 331: “Allegro assai vivace. Alla Marcia”, the heading of the march section.

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