8va — play an octave higher
An 8va or ottava-alta line above the staff makes the covered passage sound one octave higher than written. The dashed line or end hook defines how long the displacement lasts.
- Octave signs
- Above the staff
- Numbers, Letters
Do not confuse it with
An 8va/8ba line below the staff lowers the passage; placement and the line's span are decisive.
What the sources say
- Octave lines
Octave (Ottava) lines are used to indicate that a section of music is to be played one or more octaves above or below written pitch
- SMuFL — Octaves
ottavaAlta — Ottava alta
- Ottavas (8va)
15ma (above) — notation is sounded two octaves higher than written