Octave Sign - 8va or 8vb - What is the difference - Ultimate Music Theory (2024)

The Octave Sign - For Single Notes or Chords

Want to know a secret? I learned something new while I was researching and writing this Blog!

I thought that, to indicate that I wanted to write a single note or chord one octave lower or higher, I just needed to write 8va above the note or write 8va/8vb below the note. OOPS. That is not how it is written.

We need to write that little line (the " - " dash) beside the 8va/8vb sign. If the 8va is written above the note (to play one octave higher), we need to add a vertical line going down towards the staff.

If the 8va or 8vb is written below the note (to play one octave lower), we need to add a vertical line going up towards the staff.

The Octave Sign - For Notes, Phrases or Sections of Music

To indicate that multiple notes, a phrase or a section of music is to be played one octave higher, the 8va sign is written above the first note. Then, we add "dashes" from the 8va sign until the end of the music that is to be played higher.

To indicate that multiple notes, a phrase or a section of music is to be played one octave lower, the 8va or 8vb sign is written below the first note. Again, we add "dashes" from the 8va/8vb sign until the end of the music that is to be played lower.

When writing Octave Higher or Lower Signs, proper pitch is important!

Say and play both of these examples of music. Have I written the lines from the notes to the corresponding keys on the keyboard at the correct pitch?

Why is pitch important? I tell my students that, in a baseball game, if the catcher signals to the pitcher to throw the ball low, the catcher will be prepared to catch that low ball. If the ball is pitched higher, the catcher may miss it because it is not the correct pitch!

Likewise, if the catcher sends the signal to pitch the ball high, that is where he is expecting the ball to be pitched.

In music, we must be specific with our notes. Each note on the staff must be pitched correctly if we want the music to sound properly.

Here is a little tip that I use with my students.... Follow that up or down "dash" to scoop the notes.

When the dash is above, I follow the line to reach down and scoop all the notes up (higher). When the dash is below, I follow the line to reach up and scoop all the notes to bring them down (lower).

Do you have tips that you use with your Students to help them remember? I'd love to hear them.

How did you do? Do you understand why #2, #4 and #5 are incorrect, while #1 and #3 are correct?

#2 is incorrect since 8vb can only be used below the note to indicate the note is to be played one octave lower than written.

#4 is incorrect because the line to the corresponding key is not at the correct pitch. Same with #5. Can you find the correct corresponding key for #4 and for #5? I bet that you can!

And remember, if you are an Ultimate Music Teachers Member, you get to download free Worksheets (with answers) for this Blog!