Definition

Noun: 1. A musical interval spanning eight diatonic notes: The "musical octave" is the distance between one musical pitch and another with double or half its frequency. The higher note sounds like a higher version of the same note as the lower one. This interval is fundamental to most musical scales and systems.

Examples of Usage

• The melody jumped up by a musical octave, making it sound much brighter.
• In Western music, there are twelve semitones in a musical octave.
• She can sing a perfect musical octave with great accuracy.
• The piano's range is over seven musical octaves.

Advanced Usage

• "To be an octave apart": Describes two notes that are separated by the interval of an octave.
  • The cello and the violin were playing the same melody, but they were an octave apart.
• "Octave equivalence": A music theory concept stating that notes separated by an octave are perceived as having the same function or identity.
  • The principle of octave equivalence is why a 'C' sounds like a 'C' in any register.

Variants and Related Words

• Octave (n): The common, shortened form of "musical octave." This is the most frequently used term.
  • He transposed the song up one octave.
• Octaval (adj): Pertaining to an octave (this is a technical term).
• Diapason (n): A historical or formal term, often used for a full, rich outpouring of sound or as another name for an octave, especially in organ terminology.

Synonyms

• Eighth: (In the context of musical intervals) Rarely used alone but refers to the same interval (e.g., "an interval of an eighth").
• Perfect octave: The specific, most consonant form of the octave interval.

Related Phrases

• Octave leap / octave jump: A melodic movement from one note to the note an octave away.
  • The famous vocal run includes a difficult octave leap.
• Double octave: An interval spanning two octaves.
  • The pianist executed a rapid scale across a double octave.

Related Concepts

• Interval: The general term for the difference in pitch between two notes.
• Unison: The interval between two notes of the same pitch.
• Scale: A series of notes ordered by pitch, typically spanning one octave before repeating.

Noun

1. a musical interval of eight tones