Non

As Printed on a Score

Printed directly before the word it negates, inside a direction (“non legato”, “non troppo”, “ma non rit.”, “non div.”), and holding as long as that word would. Its scope is local: “non legato” lasts until legato or a new articulation, “non div.” until div. is written again.

How Composers Use It

Non is the cleanest way to forbid what a passage invites: “non legato” over a line that looks smooth, “non rit.” at a cadence players would naturally broaden, “non dim.” where a phrase would fade. It works best with a single word; for a whole manner, a positive instruction (staccato, a tempo) is often clearer. Placed after ma, it limits rather than forbids: ma non troppo, ma non rit.

Example

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, finale, first violins, m. 719: “non legato”, renewed as “sempre non legato” at m. 723.

Related Terms