Acsenray:
Okay, so as a violinist, I know that if “8va” appears above the staff, then I should play it an octave higher than written. Similarly, “8vb” indicates that I should play it an octave lower than written (in theory).
My question is about the use of 8va/8vb notation not above the staff, but underneath the clef. Does it mean the same thing?
The question arises in this context: I am learning to play the guitar and I know that music for guitar is written an octave higher than it is played. This is confirmed when I use some digital/online musical scores written for guitar and ask it to transpose to “concert pitch,” it moves the notes down an octave.
So if I were being finicky and wanted to be completely precise about music written for guitar and wanted to indicate that it was written an octave above what was to be played/concert pitch, would I use “8va” or “8vb” underneath the treble clef?
I think I’ve never seen 8vb being used with guitar music, but that’s what seems right to me.
As a guitarist, I just wanted to provide a deeply thought-out, expert opinion from 35+ years of playing: I have no clue, and didn’t know guitar music is written an octave higher.
In the immortal words of an apparently huge role model of mine: D’oh! :smack: