When a musician sees 'D.C.' in the sheet music, they should:

When a musician sees 'D.C.' in the sheet music, they should understand that this marking stands for "Da Capo," which translates from Italian to "from the head" or "from the beginning." In practice, this means that they need to return to the start of the piece and play it again, often up until a specified point, such as "D.C. al Fine," which instructs them to play back to the beginning and continue until a certain section marked 'Fine.'

Understanding this term is essential for performing music correctly, as it directs the flow and structure of the piece. The choice to repeat from the beginning reinforces the concept of form in music, illustrating how certain sections can be revisited to create a cohesive and structured performance. Other responses do not relate directly to the established meanings behind 'D.C.' in musical terms, focusing instead on performance styles or techniques that are not pertinent to the instruction provided by this marking.