On Jun 20, 2008, at 12:55 PM, dhbailey wrote:
jd IMAP wrote:
I like the 8vb for the octave lower rather than the 8va. I think
it's reactively clearer. And I use it via Smart Shape since it
breaks systems.
But it's a bastardization of the original 8va which does not mean
"ottava alta" or any such thing. It simply meant "ottava" or
"octave." Its placement above the music means an octave above, and
its placement below the music means to play the music an octave
below what is written.
So to put a 'b' in place of the 'a' simply produces a nonsense
abbreviation of a non-existent word.
Would everybody understand it? I doubt it. Does everybody
understand what '8va' means when placed beneath a row of notes?
Who really cares?? If it works, it works. I've had musicians tells
me it's just a bit clearer. To me it's a lot like writing a C4 chord
symbol versus a Csus4. I've used both, prefer the former, and I've
never had it questioned. Same with the 8vb. You can be a purist if
you want to, but in the long-term, it doesn't really matter. What
matters to me is what gets played correctly and without any question.
I've never seen the 8vb misread, but I have seen 8va under the staff
misread. Granted, the musician was probably a moron, but it happened,
and it took away a bit of valuable time.
***************************
J D Thomas
ThomaStudios
West Linn OR
www.thomastudios.com
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