Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Abbreviations

Abbreviations are letters used for words ; as, A., Alto ; Ped., Pedal ; B. C., Basso Continuo ; Leg., Legato ; V., Violin ; M. F., Mezzo Forte, &c.; but we shall notice each abbreviation under its proper head. There are certain abbreviations which, although of modern introduction, are not in general use. This mark, -, set against a note, divides it into quavers ; this, =, divides it into semiquavers ; and this, [triple horizontal bars] into demisemiquavers. This mark, -, by itself, implies that the quavers preceding it in the same bar are to be repeated ; this, =, that the semiquavers preceding it are to be repeated ; and this, [triple horizontal bars], that the demisemiquavers preceding it are to be repeated. The Italian word segue, set against any of these abbreviations, signifies a repetition of the same notes, or passage. Abbreviations were invented to save time and space many of them are indeterminate and uncertain, on which account manuscripts of others cannot always be read with ease, except by practised musicians. The immortal Handel was the first who used a short hand in musical notation. It may easily be conceived as the result of his rapid imagination, which could not stop to write out its fluent fancies by the ordinary method.

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These abbreviations form a musical brachygraphy, or short hand, highly useful both to the composer and copyist, and are now so generally adopted, wherever admissible, as to have become a necessary object of attention to the pupil. When the same note or similar passages are to be repeated, much time is saved to the composer or copyist by the use of abbreviations. A single stroke, over or under a semibreve, or through the stem of a minim or crotchet, divides them into quavers ; a double stroke, into semiquavers ; and a triple stroke into demisemiquavers. See examples, here and above.

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These passages, in Italian music, had formerly the word crome, (quavers,) or semi-crome, (semi-quavers,) annexed to them. At present we often use the term segue to signify that we must perform the following notes in the manner in which the first are marked. Another kind of abbreviation is very frequently used in modern music, viz. grouping the stems of minims like those of quavers, thus : -

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Most of these abbreviations are exclusively confined to orchestral and band music ; but every performer and student of music should be made acquainted with them, for they are frequently made use of at the present time, as well in piano-forte music as in the accompaniments to vocal music.