In music, loco is a crucial directive indicating that musicians should play "in place," meaning at the written or actual pitch, effectively canceling any previous instructions that altered the playing octave.
Understanding 'Loco' in Musical Notation
The term "loco" is Italian for "place" or "in place." When seen in a musical score, it signifies a return to the standard playing range after a passage that was meant to be played an octave higher or lower than written. It serves as a clear instruction, ensuring that the performer returns to the normal pitch register of the instrument or voice.
The Function of 'Loco' in Musical Scores
Loco typically appears after an octave sign, such as 8va (ottava alta) or 8vb (ottava bassa). These signs temporarily instruct the performer to play the notes an octave higher or lower, respectively, to simplify notation for very high or very low passages.
Here's how loco interacts with common octave signs:
- 8va (ottava alta): Indicates that the notes underneath or above the sign should be played an octave higher than written.
- 8vb (ottava bassa): Indicates that the notes underneath or above the sign should be played an octave lower than written.
- 15ma (quindicesima alta): Indicates playing two octaves higher.
- 15mb (quindicesima bassa): Indicates playing two octaves lower.
Once the passage requiring the octave shift is complete, loco is placed to tell the musician to resume playing the notes exactly as they are notated on the staff. This prevents misinterpretations and ensures pitch accuracy throughout the performance.
Why 'Loco' is Essential for Musicians
The use of loco is vital for several reasons:
- Clarity and Precision: It eliminates ambiguity, preventing performers from continuing an octave shift unintentionally.
- Readability: It allows composers to write very high or very low passages on the standard five-line staff without using an excessive number of ledger lines, which can be difficult to read.
- Consistency: It ensures that all performers interpret the score uniformly, maintaining the composer's intended pitch.
Practical Application for Performers
When a musician encounters loco in a piece, their interpretation is straightforward:
- Identify the preceding octave sign: Before
loco, there would have been an8va,8vb, or similar marking. - Cease octave transposition: The performer stops playing the notes an octave higher or lower.
- Return to written pitch: The notes that follow the
locoinstruction are played exactly at the pitch indicated by their position on the staff.
For example, if a violin passage has notes written on the staff, followed by 8va for several measures, and then loco, the violinist would play the initial notes at their written pitch, then the notes under the 8va an octave higher, and finally, the notes after loco would return to their original written pitch.
Common Musical Notation for Octave Shifts
| Musical Term | Meaning | Effect on Pitch |
|---|---|---|
| 8va | Ottava alta (an octave high) | Play one octave higher |
| 8vb | Ottava bassa (an octave low) | Play one octave lower |
| 15ma | Quindicesima alta (a fifteenth high) | Play two octaves higher |
| 15mb | Quindicesima bassa (a fifteenth low) | Play two octaves lower |
| Loco | In place | Return to written pitch |
This precise instruction ensures that complex musical ideas can be notated clearly and performed accurately, making loco an indispensable part of musical terminology. For more general information on musical terms and notation, you can consult various resources such as online music dictionaries or guides like Music Theory.
