1. Solfge for Dummies

2. solfge solfeggio sol-fa These terms define a musical method used to teach sight-singing. The reason it is so widely used is its ability to cover the full spectrum of learning styles. By labeling each note of a scale with a syllable and hand- sign we cover the visual, auditory and kinesthetic levels all at the same time. The term Solfge is believed to come from two syllables in the scale, Sol and Fa. To Sol-fa something was to sing a passage of music in solfge. The widespread use of Solfge in Music Education is connected with Zoltn Kodly who created the Kodly Method in Hungary in the early 20th century. 3. Do is the starting note of the scale. You begin by showing the hand-sign at about the level of your belly-button. 4. Re is the note just above Do (one whole-step). This sign is displayed just slightly higher than Do. 5. Mi is the next note above Re (one whole-step). This is displayed just slightly higher than Re (typically about the level of your heart). 6. Mi to Fa is the first half-step we encounter. The hand sign simply turns the flattened hand for Mi down so the thumb is pointing to the ground. 7. So (or Sol) is the 5th degree of the scale (one whole-step above Fa). The hand position should be just about the level of you chin. 8. La (whole-step above So) is one of the more ambiguous hand-signs. It can be shown with all fingers pointing down and the top of the hand arched or just the thumb and index fingers pointing down with the other three curled under. The key is the top of the hand is arched from the wrist distinguishing it from the other hand-signs. 9. Ti is the whole-step above La. This is the 7th degree of the scale and always leads up to Do (hence the finger pointing up). The hand-sign is typically eye level. 10. Note: the upper Do' is distinguished from Do by using an apostrophe. The return to Do from Ti ends the major scale and the hand-sign is typically just about forehead level. 11. Here are the signs listed from bottom to top. The initial Do starts around the belly-button and Do' ends at the forehead. Note the two half-steps in the scale are indicated with a finger pointing the direction that note wants to lead (hence the term leading tone). Fa to Mi Third and fourth degrees of the scale. Ti to Do Seventh and eighth degrees of the scale.