Ottava
Definition. Octave higher — instruction to play the marked passage one octave higher than written. Notated *8va* with a dashed line.
Detailed Explanation
Ottava (often abbreviated 8va or ott.) is Italian for ‘octave’. As a performance direction it instructs the performer to play the marked passage one octave higher than written. The marking is typically shown as ‘8va’ above the staff with a dashed line extending to indicate where the higher-octave reading ends.
The direction simplifies notation. A passage that would otherwise require many ledger lines above the staff can be written in normal range with an 8va indication, making the music easier to read. The performer mentally transposes the indicated section up an octave.
The opposite is ottava bassa (8vb), which instructs the player to read a passage one octave lower than written — typically applied to the bass clef where many ledger lines below the staff would otherwise be needed. ‘Loco’ cancels either direction, returning to normal-octave reading.
Etymology
Italian, ‘eighth’, from Latin octavus. The octave is the eighth scale degree from the tonic.
In Practice
Play one octave higher than the written notes throughout the dashed line. When the line ends or loco appears, return to normal-octave reading.
Notable Examples
- Most piano music — Universal usage (ubiquitous notational shorthand)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
Τι σημαίνει Ottava στη μουσική;
Octave higher — instruction to play the marked passage one octave higher than written. Notated 8va with a dashed line.
Από πού προέρχεται η λέξη Ottava;
Italian, ‘eighth’, from Latin octavus. The octave is the eighth scale degree from the tonic.
Πώς εκτελείται το Ottava στην πράξη;
Play one octave higher than the written notes throughout the dashed line. When the line ends or loco appears, return to normal-octave reading.
Ποιες είναι οι συνήθεις συντομογραφίες για το Ottava;
Το Ottava συντομογραφείται συνήθως ως 8va.
Ποιοι μουσικοί όροι σχετίζονται με το Ottava;
Σχετικοί όροι: Ottava Bassa, Loco, Unison.
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