How to Read Octave Commands
Musical symbols such as 8va and 15va indicate that a note or passage will be played in a different octave. These commands make it easier to read very high or low notes that would otherwise be written using multiple ledger lines:
- 8va
Play one octave higher than notated on the staff.
8va stands for ottava (Italian for “octave”) and may be written a number of other ways: 8a; ottava alta; all’ ottava; ottava sopra, or simply 8 above the staff. - 8vb
Play one octave lower.
8vb may also be written 8a b; 8va bassa; ottava bassa; ottava sotto, or simply 8 below the staff. - 15ma
Play two octaves higher than notated.
15ma stands for quindicesima (“the fifteenth”) and may also be written alla quindicesima, or with 15 above the staff. - 15mb
Play two octaves lower.
May also be written 15 below the staff.
See More Musical Symbols:
■Staff & Barlines ■Note Lengths ■Articulation Marks ■Repeat Signs
■The Grand Staff ■Dotted Notes ■Dynamics & Volume ■Segno & Coda Signs
■Time Signatures ■Accidentals ■Key Signatures ■Pedal Marks
■Tempo Commands ■Piano Chords ■Music Rests ■8va & Octave Commands
