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8va above a dashed line, moving a passage an octave from where it is written.
Also known as: Octave sign, 8 above the music
8va means play an octave higher than written. It exists to keep notes on the staff instead of stranded on many ledger lines, which is a legibility device rather than a musical instruction.
Instructs the passage beneath it to be played an octave higher than written, for the length of its dashed line.
Contexts: Music
Is written 8vb below the staff to move a passage an octave lower instead.
Contexts: Music
Exists to avoid stacks of ledger lines, so it is a device of legibility rather than a musical instruction in itself.
Contexts: Music
The numeral 8 followed by a small raised va, with a horizontal dashed line extending to the right for the length of the affected passage and ending in a short downward hook.
A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.