Wie oben

As Printed on a Score

Printed at the start of a repeated or returning passage to say “as before” — the tempo, dynamics and manner of the passage it duplicates — sparing the engraver from reprinting the earlier markings. It holds until the passage departs from its model or a new direction appears.

How Composers Use It

A practical shorthand in strophic songs and dance forms, where a later verse or a return copies an earlier one, or where a slowing must be undone. It is only as clear as the earlier passage is easy to find: if several earlier passages could be meant, reprint the key markings or write Tempo I. The Italian equivalent is come sopra.

Example

Schubert, Heidenröslein, D. 257, voice, m. 13: “wie oben”, two bars after “nachgebend”, undoing the yielding; the song is headed “Lieblich”.

Related Terms