

Sign up
Here's how it works:
  1. Anybody can ask a question
  2. Anybody can answer


When a repeat calls for a different ending, number brackets above the bars indicate which to played the first time (1), which to play the second time (2), etc. These are called "first-time bars" and "second-time bars," or "first and second endings."

Is there a case when you can only use one of them?

share|improve this question
A second ending implies that a first ending must exist, and a "first ending only" would just use a regular repeat sign. – NReilingh Jul 3 '11 at 19:38
up vote 10 down vote accepted

By definition, there isn't. You only need the first-time and second-time bars when you have two different endings.

When you don't have different endings, you don't need to use either first-time or second-time bars. When you do have at least two different endings, you must use both bars. There may be more, too -- some pieces have a common repeated part and more than 2 different endings.

So, it's a "both or nothing" kind of deal.

share|improve this answer
You can, however, have the "first-time bar" be more than just the first time ("1–3."); the "second-time bar" will still be the last ("4."). – Ben Alpert Jul 3 '11 at 20:43
Or you can even do weird things like ("1, 3.") and ("2, 4."). – Caleb Hines Nov 7 '14 at 16:55

Your Answer


