You are here:

8va

The marking, when placed above the staff, indicates the music is to be performed one octave higher than written. According to most recognized music notation standards, placed below the staff indicates the music is to be performed one octave lower than written.

To create an marking

Choose the Smart Shape tool . The Smart Shape palette appears.
Click the Ottava tool .
Position the cursor in the measure where the marking is to begin so that the cursor arrow points to the staff to which you’re attaching it.
Double-click; on the second click, hold the button down and drag to the right. Your double-click marks the side of the marking; as you drag, you increase the length of the dashed-line bracket. Release the mouse when you’ve positioned the right end where you want it.

To move or reshape an marking

If the marking is already selected, it displays diamond editing handles. If not, Choose the Smart Shape tool . Any Smart Shape created with this tool displays a handle; click the handle of the marking you want to modify.
Drag the right or left diamond editing handles to move the endpoints. Drag the square handle to move the marking. Press DELETE to remove it.
If the bracket is long enough that it straddles one or more system (line) breaks, it will automatically break into two (or more) segments; the continuation portions will have an in parentheses.