Posted by David L. Allen on February 21, 2003 at 11:56:34:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: 8va heros posted by Rick Denney on February 21, 2003 at 10:20:51:
8ve is simply shorthand for the complete spelling of octave - 8=octa (as in octagon and octapus) + ve = Octave - This was traditionally used represent octave up to remove the need for ledger lines (a la the use of tenor and alto clef for trombone and euph) sence transposition in the lower instruments such as string bass and contra reed instruments were taken care of.
The short hand was further developed to 8va to clarify rather than assume "octave alto" or octave up.
8vb whould then be the proper shorthand to specify "octave basso" or octave down.
David "I forget what orchestration or music history book I read this in but I did read it" L. Allen