Volta

As Printed on a Score

Seen mostly as numbered brackets over the last bars of a repeated section, labelled “1.” and “2.” (or “1ma”, “2da”, “1a volta”, “2a volta”): play the first ending, take the repeat, then skip to the second. The words “1a volta” and “2a volta” also appear over notes that change on the repeat.

How Composers Use It

First and second volta brackets (1. and 2.) provide different endings on successive passes through repeated material. The first ending leads back to the repeat sign; the second ending continues forward. Use them to vary the final bars of a repeated section without rewriting everything.

Example

Standard in virtually all repeated sections — the first volta typically ends on an open cadence, the second on a closed one.

Related Terms