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: The line may be dotted or solid. Ottavas are available in the Lines palette of the Basic and Advanced workspaces.

8─────┐or 8va─────┐: Play one octave above written pitch
8─────┘or 8vb─────┘: Play one octave below written pitch

8va/8vb lines are particularly common in piano scores, though they are sometimes used in other instrumental music.¹ 15ma (2 octaves above) and 15mb (2 octaves below) are also occasionally used.

Apply an octave line

Use one of the following:

• Select a range of notes, then double click an octave line from a palette.
• Select one or more measures, then double click an octave line from a palette.
• Click on a note, then double-click an octave line from the palette (extends line from selected note to end of bar).
• Drag an octave line from a palette onto a note (extends line from selected note to end of bar).

See also, Lines: Adjust vertical position.

Change length

See Lines: Change length.

Custom lines

Octaves can be customized just like any other line. See Lines: Custom lines and line properties.

External links

• Octave at Wikipedia