ottava

views updated

ottava (It., sometimes abbreviated ‘8va’). Octave. Indications to play a passage an octave higher are all'ottava (at the octave), ottava alta (high octave), and ottava sopra (octave above). Indications to play an octave below written pitch are ottava bassa (low octave), and ottava sotto (octave below).

An expression meaning ‘play in octaves’ is coll' ottava (with the octave).

More From encyclopedia.com