All’ottava

As Printed on a Score

Shown as 8va (or a plain 8) with a dashed line over the notes to be played an octave higher; under the staff, 8va bassa or 8vb (some editions just 8va) means an octave lower. The end of the line, often hooked, or loco cancels it. Over a repeat it may stand alone, as in Repeat 8va.

Abbreviations: 8va, 8va., 8va ---, all’8va

How Composers Use It

Octave lines keep extreme notes on the staff instead of in a thicket of ledger lines; reach for one once ledger lines pass three or four. Prefer a clef change for instruments that have one, keep the line clear of other markings, and add loco where the end might be missed. Older scores also use all’ottava to send one part after another an octave away instead of writing it out.

Example

Joplin, The Entertainer (1902), piano, m. 21: “Repeat 8va.” — the repeat is to be played an octave higher.

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