repeat sign
A notation symbol consisting of a double bar line with two dots, indicating that a passage should be played again
In Depth
Repeat signs come in pairs: the backward-facing sign marks the beginning of the repeated section and the forward-facing sign marks the end. If only an end repeat appears, the player returns to the beginning of the piece. First and second endings (voltas) direct the performer to play different conclusions on each pass. Repeat signs save space on the page and are fundamental to binary, ternary, and da capo forms. In performance practice, whether to observe all repeats remains a matter of debate.
Whether to take repeats in Classical sonata movements remains one of the most debated questions in performance practice — some conductors always do, others never.