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Writer's picturegregoryguaymusic

Children's Music: importance of solfège (Do Re Mi) for glockenspiel, ukulele, and guitar!

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Singing Solfege is a fun and very effective foundation in Music Lessons for children regardless of which instrument they may pursue! This week, we looked at a song very familiar to the class that only uses five notes:





"Solfège is a great tool for learning music, for sight-reading, and for understanding music theory. It’s been part of the language of music for many centuries. To tap into the power of solfège, have your child sing the solfège syllables to the songs they’re working on as part of their daily music practice." -  Hoffman Academy


#1 - Solfege teaches FUNCTION so that one can memorize the sound of intervals (steps) of scales.


Nearly every child can connect Do Do So So La La So, to Twinkle Star! With solfege the can identify the pitches and wether it's moving up or down in small steps or large leaps.



#2 - In moveable Do, wether we start high or low, solfege names stay constant in all tunings/keys.


One of my Suzuki Guitar students has learned that Do is G on guitar. The first half of Suzuki Guitar Volume 1 is all in the 'key of G'. However, this kindergarten boy is also in the Montessori school where I teach music - so he is also learning that Do is C. Ultimately, he can sing Do Do So So La La So while he plays guitar, or ukulele, or glockenspiel regardless of wether it sounds like the pitch of G or C.


" Music students who are trained in the solfège scale can hear that interval and know what it is. They have a name for it. If you don’t have a name for something, it is less obvious to the brain when that pattern shows up." - Hoffman Academy

#3 - "Do Re Mi" same as "C D E" same as "1 2 3"


While some schools sick with one system, I prefer to mix the three systems up right from the beginning. In my opinion, it's akin to associating "water" with "wet" and "drink" or "swim". A little confusing at first but ultimately enhances the understanding and ability to musically communicate and comprehend. I combine Orff music training, with Suzuki pedagogy, and guitar theory. One of the simplest songs to learn is Hot Cross Buns: Mi Re Do...


#4 - Using Curwen hand symbols


The hand symbols help engage children by connecting pitch with kinesetic and visual cues See this video to try it out with your children at home .


#5 - Without solfege, music is abstract, sometimes less attainable


"...without solfège the [student may lack the clarify] of pitch, rhythm, and intensity.

Where we may be defective, or at least incomplete." - MELVILLE SMITH


Encourage children to have a daily music routine.


I like to offer praise not for their focus - not the cute bouncing around or showing off possesion of an instrument - but, for their effort and ability to focus on their challenging musical task.



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