Definition: A “broken octave” is a keyboard layout in which certain keys have been split into halves or thirds, each part of which sounds a different note. Broken octaves were used on early keyboard instruments to allow for a wider range of notes in a limited space. It replaced the short octave, which simply omitted less commonly used notes altogether.
Broken octaves were found on early organs, clavichords, and harpsichords.
See octave.
Broken octaves were found on early organs, clavichords, and harpsichords.
See octave.
