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What is the 1.-5. notation in the top right corner telling me to do? Sheet music

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  • 5
    FYI: these are also called "Volta brackets" – Arsak Nov 7 '19 at 22:05
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    I'm a bit puzzled, why there are 6 repetitions specified, but apparently only 3 verses. – guidot Nov 8 '19 at 14:35
  • @guidot: Since the 6th repetition has no lyrics, my guess would be that it is either 3 verses with lyrics and 3 instrumental verses, or alternating. The notation could definitely be improved, the score seems to imply familiarity with the song already (in which case, why specify the number of repetitions at all). – Jörg W Mittag Nov 8 '19 at 14:38
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    There's only so much room for lyrics within the staff. Very often, any additional verses will be printed elsewhere on the page. I see this in hymnals all the time. – Dave Tweed Nov 8 '19 at 15:11
  • Or sing the 3 verses twice, though then the 6th time is off. Can you accept the correct answer? – Legorhin Nov 8 '19 at 15:44
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The first part is played six times. The first five times you play the three bars under the bracket marked 1.-5., and the sixth time the bars under the bracket marked 6.

These are called "volta brackets" but people mostly refer to these as the "first ending", "second ending" etc. (alternatively "first-time bar" etc.)

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