to denote pitch. Each letter name is followed by a number denoting the octave
within which that pitch resides. Each octave begins with the note “C” and extends
to the “B” seven steps above.

There are three pitches below the lowest C (C1) on the average piano keyboard.
These notes are labeled in two ways: A0, Bb0, B0, or simply A, Bb, B. So, the entire
piano keyboard spans the range from A0 to C8.

Figure 2.18 "Keyboard with Octave

Designations"

shows this entire keyboard with each octave designation labeled.

Figure 2.18

Keyboard with Octave Designations

© Wikicommons, Artur Jan Fijalkowski

The use of register designations is coupled with, and reinforced by, the visual tool
of the piano keyboard. This becomes an indispensable skill for every musician.

Often the range of a particular segment of music will be written in extremes of
register, high or low. This is notated using multiple ledger lines. Often, as a
notational convenience and to make for ease of reading, composers may employ
symbols denoting that a passage is played an octave higher than written (

8va-

ottava

), or an octave lower than written (

8vb-ottava bassa

). In order to avoid using

ledger lines, the passage is written in a lower octave, then labeled above the staff if

8va

, below the staff if

8vb

. A bracket extends from the

ottava

symbol to the end of

the passage that is raised or lowered.

Chapter 2 The Elements of Pitch:Sound, Symbol, and Tone

2.4 Register Designation, The Octave, 8va, and 8vb

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