A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Brace

BRACE (Ger. Klammer; Fr. Accolade; Ital. Accolada).

A vertical line, usually a double curve, used to couple together two or more staves, thus indicating that the music written therein is to be performed simultaneously, either by various instruments, or voices, or, in pianoforte, harp, or organ-music, by the two hands of the performer.

In orchestral scores the whole of the staves forming the score are braced together by a vertical straight line, and curved braces are added to show the position in the score of certain instruments or groups of instruments, and so to facilitate the reading. These curved braces are usually employed to couple together the parts for the first and second violins, pianoforte or organ (if any), the violoncello and double-bass, and the three trombones.

In organ music with pedal obligato three staves are required, the lowest being for the pedals; these three are braced by means of a straight line, with a curved brace in addition, to indicate the two staves which belong to the manuals.

[ F. T. ]