(Review) Solfege (study notes)

Solfege 

 

Solfege (also called solfa, or solfeggio) provides a framework for melodies by establishing recognizable relationships between pitches, and training your ear to hear patterns. It is an excellent system for learning the architecture behind music, and is a fundamental concept of ear training.

 

Solfege provides pure vowel shapes to designate scale tones in a key signature. "Do" is always the first pitch of the scale and the name of the key.

Hand signs are also used as a physical and visual aid with the syllables.

Which note to call "Do" in a song depends on the key signature (how many flats or sharps).  
(Example of Solfege scale in the key of G, which has an F# in the key signature)

 

Solfege is very useful in sight reading vocal and choral music.

Below is an example of vocal music in the key of C (no flats or sharps), labeled with solfege syllables to help learn the melody notes.