What Does All’Ottava Mean?

All’ottava (It. “at the octave”) instructs the continuist to refrain from harmonic realization and to double the bass at the octave. In thoroughbass practice, this term is used as a synonym of all’unisono (It. “in unison”). For more information and nuance, see What Do Tasto Solo, All’Ottava and All’Unisono Mean?.