What does 'da capo' (D.C.) instruct musicians to do?

The term 'da capo,' which translates to 'from the head' in Italian, instructs musicians to return to the beginning of the piece of music and repeat it. This is a common directive in musical compositions, allowing for phrases or sections to be revisited, often to emphasize themes or for musical structure.

When musicians see 'D.C.,' they should go back to the start of the piece after reaching the specified section indicated by 'da capo.' This technique adds depth and continuity to the music, enhancing the listening experience by creating a balance between repetition and variation.

The other options may describe different musical instructions but do not pertain to the specific meaning of 'da capo.' For example, repeating from the sign refers to the 'dal segno' indication, while gradually getting softer refers to dynamics. Playing sweetly relates to the character of performance and is not a formal directive like 'da capo.'