Nota bene

As Printed on a Score

Printed as N.B., NB or NB. over a part to draw attention to a warning or a footnote; it applies to the point it marks.

Abbreviations: N.B., NB, NB.

How Composers Use It

Use it sparingly, for notes about unusual effects or departures from expected practice, such as an octave the players might be tempted to change or a balance the conductor should allow. Keep the note brief and specific, and put it in every part it concerns as well as in the score; a note printed only in the score never reaches the player.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, fifth movement (Rondo-Finale), double basses, m. 749: “(NB. Nicht eine Oktave tiefer !)” — not an octave lower — where the Allegro molto begins.