second ending in music meaning | TheMusicDictionary

Meaning of Second Ending in Music

In music notation, a second ending refers to a specific notation technique used to indicate that a section of music should be repeated with a variation in the ending. It is commonly used in sheet music to simplify the notation and avoid repetition of identical music passages. The second ending is typically indicated by a bracket above the bars, along with an ending number (e.g., 1, 2, etc.).

How Second Endings Work

When a piece of music includes a second ending, the performer plays the first ending the first time through the section. Then, when repeating the section, the performer skips the first ending and goes directly to the second ending. This allows for a variation in the music while maintaining the overall structure and flow of the piece.

Notation of Second Endings

To notate second endings, a bracket is drawn above the bars where the endings occur, and an ending number is placed within the bracket to indicate the order of the endings. The first ending is usually a closed bracket, while the second ending is an open bracket (without a final "down line" at the end of the bracket). The final measure of the second ending can either use a double bar line or a single bar line to indicate the end of that section.

Purpose of Second Endings

The use of second endings in music notation serves several purposes. It allows composers and arrangers to create variations within a repeated section, adding interest and musical development. It also helps performers navigate the structure of the piece, indicating which parts to play during each repetition. Additionally, second endings help streamline the notation, reducing the need for repetitive notation and making the music easier to read and interpret.

Example of Second Ending Notation

Here is an example of how second endings can be notated in sheet music:

```|: A section |: B section :| C section :||: First ending | Second ending :|| D section ||```

In this example, the A section is played once, followed by the B section, which is repeated. The first ending is played during the first repetition of the B section, and the second ending is played during the second repetition. After that, the C section is played once, followed by the D section.

Overall, second endings in music notation provide a clear and concise way to indicate repeated sections with variations, enhancing the musical experience for both composers and performers.

Often, repeated sections of a composition will have different endings for each repeat of that section. This can be to create the symmetry of an antecedent and consequent phrase or simply to extend the composition. Although there are normally only first endings and second endings, the can choose to have as many different endings as there are repeats of the section.

Normally, the second ending is shown with the trailing end of the symbol open (see first example below). If the second ending appears at the end of a movement, section or at the end of the composition, the symbol is closed at the final barline (see second example below).