ripetato

Ripetato is an Italian musical term that translates to "repeated." It is used to indicate that a specific passage of music should be played more than once. The exact number of repetitions is usually indicated by a number above or below the repeat sign, or by specific instructions in the score.

In its simplest form, a repeat sign is a double bar line with two dots. When this sign appears at the end of a section, the performer is expected to return to the beginning of that section or to a preceding repeat sign and play it again. If there is no preceding repeat sign, the music is typically repeated from the very beginning of the piece.

The term "ripetato" can also appear in more nuanced contexts. For instance, "due volte" means "twice," indicating a passage should be played exactly two times. "Tre volte" means "three times." Sometimes, composers might write out a passage multiple times without explicit repeat signs if they want to emphasize it or alter it slightly with each repetition.

The use of "ripetato" is a fundamental element of musical notation, allowing composers to create structure, add emphasis, and manage the length of their compositions efficiently without having to write out every note multiple times. It is a common instruction found across various musical genres and periods.