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accidentals in 8va

Posted: 27 Mar 2026, 11:53
by Felipe Copaja
Hi everyone, small question, should I repeat the natural signs for the notes under the 8va sign?


Felipe Copaja

Re: accidentals in 8va

Posted: 27 Mar 2026, 12:06
by David Ward
Yes. Although it does look a bit excessive, I think it is technically necessary (though maybe not the lower D in the higher octave).

Re: accidentals in 8va

Posted: 27 Mar 2026, 15:08
by Shinianqi
I agree with what Mr. David Ward said.

Generally speaking, accidentals only apply within the octave they appear in, and the notes under an 8va sign are, in terms of musical meaning, notes in another octave, so they need to have the accidentals added.

Re: accidentals in 8va

Posted: 15 Apr 2026, 01:47
by John Ruggero
What David Ward and Shinianqi said is now the standard way to handle this. However, one will come upon music as recent as Ravel and find the other approach to accidentals and octave signs.

Re: accidentals in 8va

Posted: 16 Apr 2026, 14:21
by Shinianqi
You're right, John.
I remember that there was a discussion about this here before.