Ottava bassa

As Printed on a Score

Printed below the staff as 8va bassa, 8vb, 8ba or 8va b., with a dashed line under the notes to be played an octave lower; the end of the line or loco cancels it. Con 8va bassa, by contrast, adds the lower octave to the written notes.

Abbreviations: 8va bassa, 8vb, 8va b., 8va bassa., 8ba

Also spelled: ottava sotto

How Composers Use It

Use it to keep very low piano, harp or organ notes readable; for orchestral instruments a clef change is usually better, and low instruments such as double bass and contrabassoon are already written an octave above sounding pitch. Make the end of the line unmistakable so the player knows where normal pitch resumes.

Related Terms