Which Italian term indicates to return to the beginning of a piece of music?

The term "Da Capo" is used in music notation to instruct musicians to return to the beginning of a piece. It translates directly to "from the head" in Italian, indicating that once the musician reaches the end of a specific section, they should go back to the start and play it again. This repetition is often employed to emphasize themes or musical ideas.

In contrast, "Dal Segno" means "from the sign," which directs musicians to return to a specific sign within the music, rather than the very beginning. "Al Fine" translates to "to the end," which would indicate where the piece concludes, while "Fermata" refers to a pause or hold on a note or chord, not a return to a previous section. Each of these terms serves a distinct function in music notation, but "Da Capo" is specifically what indicates a return to the start of a composition.