Ed

As Printed on a Score

Printed between two words of a single direction when the second begins with a vowel (“cresc. ed accel.”, “dolce ed espressivo”, “con moto ed anima”). It carries no scope of its own; each joined word keeps its normal duration.

How Composers Use It

Ed is simply e (and) before a vowel, used for euphony. Italian usage requires it most firmly before e (ed espressivo) and allows plain e elsewhere, so “cresc. e accel.” and “cresc. ed accel.” both appear. Joining two words with ed tells the player to do both at once, a crescendo and an accelerando together; for one after the other, poi is clearer.

Example

Brahms, Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121, No. 4, “Wenn ich mit Menschen- und mit Engelszungen redete”, voice, m. 1: “Andante con moto ed anima”.

Related Terms