Octave: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ถ
octave
[ หษktษชv ]
music theory
An octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency. In the context of Western music, an octave spans eight notes of the diatonic scale, which includes both the tonic and the octave note. It is a fundamental concept in music theory and composition, as it defines the relationship between notes. When notes are played an octave apart, they have a similar sound quality, which creates a sense of harmony.
Synonyms
interval, note range
Examples of usage
- The song has a range of three octaves.
- He sang the melody in a higher octave.
- The piano keyboard is organized in octaves.
mathematics
In mathematics, an octave can refer to the base-8 number system. The term is used to describe a positional numeral system that uses eight as its base. The digits used in this system are 0 to 7, and it is less commonly used than the binary (base-2) or decimal (base-10) systems. Understanding octaves in a mathematical sense can be important in fields like computer science and digital systems.
Synonyms
base-eight, octal
Examples of usage
- The code is written in octal format.
- Octaves are used in computer programming.
- He converted the number to octal.
Translations
Translations of the word "octave" in other languages:
๐ต๐น oitava
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเค เคตเคพเค
๐ฉ๐ช Oktave
๐ฎ๐ฉ oktaf
๐บ๐ฆ ะพะบัะฐะฒะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ oktawa
๐ฏ๐ต ใชใฏใฟใผใ
๐ซ๐ท octave
๐ช๐ธ octava
๐น๐ท oktav
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฅํ๋ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃููุชุงู
๐จ๐ฟ oktรกva
๐ธ๐ฐ oktรกva
๐จ๐ณ ๅ ซๅบฆ
๐ธ๐ฎ oktava
๐ฎ๐ธ oktavi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะพะบัะฐะฒะฐ
๐ฌ๐ช แแฅแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ oktan
๐ฒ๐ฝ octava
Word origin
The term 'octave' originates from the Latin word 'octavus', meaning 'eighth'. This aligns with its position in the scale structure where it encompasses eight notes from the starting point to the next occurrence of the same note at a higher or lower pitch. The concept and use of octaves can be traced back to ancient Greek music theory, where it was associated with the Pythagorean tuning system, which emphasized mathematical relationships in music. Over time, the octave has played a crucial role in shaping Western musical traditions and has been foundational in the development of musical scales and harmony. The use of octaves in mathematics as a numeral system reflects how this concept has transcended its musical origins, demonstrating the versatility of numbers in different domains.