D. C.
(Italian) Abbreviation for "da capo." Go back to the beginning of the piece or movement.
D. C. AL CODA
(Italian) Go back to the beginning of the piece or movement and continue to the sign, then skip to the 'coda' (ending passage).
D. C. AL FINE
(Italian) Go back to the beginning of the piece or movement and stop at the 'fine' (end).
D. C. SCHERZO AL FINE
(Italian) Go back to the beginning of the 'scherzo' and stop at the 'fine' (end).
D. S.
(Italian) Abbreviation for "dal segno." Perform the section from the sign again.
D. S. AL CODA
(Italian) Go back to the sign and perform the section again until the Coda sign is reached, then skip to the 'coda'.
D. S. AL FERMATA
(Italian) Go back to the sign and perform the section again until the 'fermata' (hold) is reached.
D. S. AL FERMATA E TRIO
(Italian) Go back to the sign and perform the section again until the fermata in the 'trio' is reached.
D. S. AL FINE
(Italian) Go back to the sign and perform the section again until the 'fine' (end) is reached.
D. S. AL SEGNO AL CODA
(Italian) Abbreviation for "dal segno al segno al coda." Repeat this section beginning at the sign. When the next sign is reached, skip to the 'coda'.
DA CAPO
(Italian) Abbreviated "D. C." Go back to the beginning.
DAL SEGNO
(Italian) Abbreviated "D. S." Perform the section from the sign again.
DÄMPFER
(German) Mutes.
DÉCIDÉ
(French) Decisive; with assurance.
DECISO
(Italian) With determination.
DECRESCENDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "decresc." Becoming gradually softer; decreasing in loudness.
DEHNEN
(German) To prolong; lengthen.
DÉLICATAMENTE E CON ESPRESSIONE
(Italian) Perform delicately and with expressiveness.
DELICATEMENT
(French) With delicacy; gentleness.
DELICATO
(Italian) With delicacy; gentleness.
DES
(German) Of the.
DESCANT
(Latin) The highest pitch or part in the music.
DEUTLICH
(German) Distinctly.
DIESELBEN
(German) The same.
DIMINUEZ
(French) Reduce; diminish; lessen.
DIMINUENDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "dim." or "dimin." Becoming gradually softer; diminishing in loudness.
DISCRÈTEMENT
(French) Discreetly.
DIVISI
(Italian) Indicates that two (or more) notes written together on the same part or line should be performed by two (or more) people.
DOLCE
(Italian) Sweetly.
DOLCE CON DELICATEZZA
(Italian) With sweetness and great delicacy.
DOLCE CON GUSTO
(Italian) Sweetly and tastefully.
DOLCEZZA
(Italian) Sweetly.
DOLCISSIMO
(Italian) Abbreviated "dolciss." Very sweetly and softly.
DOLENT(E)
(French, Italian) Sad; plaintive.
DOPPELT BESETZ
(German) Doubled.
DOUBLE CADENCE
(French) A four or five note turn that begins on the beat and revolves around the principal note.
DOUBLE CADENCE COUPÉE
(French) A baroque ornament that begins with a trill, ends on the principal note and fills to the next note.
DOUCEMENT MONOTONE
(French) Soft and unchanging.
DOUCEUR
(French) Sweetness; gentleness.
DOUX
(French) Sweetly.
DRÄNGEND
(German) Pressing; quicker.