What does the musical term "dal segno" instruct musicians to do?

The term "dal segno," which translates from Italian as "from the sign," instructs musicians to return to a specific point in the music that is marked by a sign, typically a symbol resembling an 'S' with two dots. This sign indicates where to go back and repeat the music, allowing for a structured way to revisit themes or sections within a piece. This practice is common in music composition to create variations or emphasize certain themes, enhancing the overall musical experience.

In contrast, returning to the beginning of the piece pertains to a different instruction, while playing softer refers to dynamics rather than a structural direction, and stopping indicates an end of performance rather than a point of repetition. Understanding these distinctions helps musicians interpret scores correctly and follow the composer's intended flow.