Success Music Studio

Guitar • Bass • Banjo • Ukulele • Mandolin • Autoharp • Keyboard • Piano | Voice #: 978-440-9966 | Text #: 508-561-9724

geoff@successmusicstudio.com

Envelope
Success Music Studio - logo_retna_i
Menu
Success Music Studio - logo_retna_i
Menu

Shape Notes and Solfege

 

chorus, stage, music

 

The Shape Notes and Solfege Blog Category

 

The blog category is expanding to include “General Sight Singing” and “Song-Along Song” posts.

 

Shape Notes

What are shape notes? They are a special vocal notation that works with solfege to make sight singing easier. Specifically, we will use the seven-note shape note system. We will also explore Kodaly rhythmic syllables in the Shape Notes and Solfege posts.

 

Solfege remains one of the oldest and most reliable strategies that singing teachers have. Shape notes are newer, but still have been around since the 18th century. However, solfege is at the core of the shape note system, and the two work together for effective, statistically proven sight singing success.

 

Ear Training

This category includes posts on melodic intonation. Like the Singing in Tune Blog Category, the Shape Notes and Solfege Blog Category has sing-along songs.

 

In both cases, the sing-along sound tracks create sound models to train the ear. Singing in Tune deals with harmonic intonation while this blog category deals with melodic intonation.

 

The sing-along songs use synthetic voices rather than actual voices. Research has shown that this will help with the ability to identify and produce absolute pitch information. For more information, read Why Use a Synth Voice Instead of Real Voices.

 

Harmonic and melodic intonation tune in essentially different ways. Harmonic tuning focuses on the tone color of the harmonies. Conversely, melodic tuning focuses on the distance between melody notes.

 

The Cornerstone Category article:

 

More Shape Note Posts:

 

Sight Singing with Rhythmic Syllables:

 

Sight Reading Posts:

 

Sing-Along Song Posts:

 

The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.

 

– Geoffrey Keith

 

© 2022 Geoffrey Keith

 

Back to the Successful Music Student blogs page

 

How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - Boys Choir - How Do I Switch from Minor Key Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean

How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 1

Shape Notes and Solfege / / , , , , , , , ,

“How do I switch from singing shaped notes to standard notation?” Because they’re easy to read, shape notes will always be a good choice for struggling readers, and it makes a great introduction to solfege too. However, the limited shape note repertoire means that shape note singers may want to learn to read standard notation as well. Click to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 1 Read More »

Why is it Important to Define the Dynamics to Sing a Piece of Music - sheet music, cake, and coffee

Why is it Important to Define the Dynamics to Sing a Piece of Music?

Shape Notes and Solfege / / , , , , , , , ,

Why is it important to sing the dynamics for a piece of music? Dynamics play an important role in notated music, helping bring interest and variety to your songs. If you want help understanding how dynamic signs work, click to answer the question: “Why is it important to define the dynamics to sing a piece of music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Why is it Important to Define the Dynamics to Sing a Piece of Music? Read More »

Question - How Do I Get Better at Sight Singing - Male Singer - What Exactly Is a Ballad and How Do You Write One? - How to Have Fun Singing Karaoke Songs

Question, How Do I Get Better at Sight Singing?

Shape Notes and Solfege / / , , ,

“What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Sharps, flats, and naturals (collectively called accidentals) grew out of a problem that needed to be fixed in the mediaeval music notation. The music theorists of the time slapped their fix onto the preexisting notation system, and that fix is still with us to this day. However, having confused generations of budding musicians, the results of the fix leave a lot to be desired. Click to answer the question, “What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Question, How Do I Get Better at Sight Singing? Read More »

Is Singing Solfege Helpful for Learning to Hear Intervals by Ear - Children Singing - Sing Silent Night with Shape Note Solfege - Deck the Halls (Lyrics and Song) - Angels We Have Heard on High: A Powerful Carol of Joy [Words]

Is Singing Solfege Helpful for Learning to Hear Intervals by Ear?

Shape Notes and Solfege / / , , ,

Is singing solfege actually helpful for learning to hear intervals by ear? Sort of. In some contexts, solfege can be useful for hearing how the intervals sound so you can sing in tune. In others, solfege won’t help at all. Click to answer the question, “Is singing solfege helpful for learning to hear intervals by ear?” Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Is Singing Solfege Helpful for Learning to Hear Intervals by Ear? Read More »

Can I Learn Sight-Singing if I Haven't Learned an Instrument -Jazz Singer - Is There a Difference in Difficulty for Singing Specific Vowels - Do You Need Help Learning How to Harmonize - How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - How to Figure Out Your Voice Type

Can I Learn Sight-Singing if I Haven’t Learned an Instrument?

Shape Notes and Solfege / / , ,

Do you want to learn how to sight-sing? Have you ever wondered, “Can I learn sight-singing if I haven’t learned an instrument?” You’ve come to the right place! Read more to find out whether it’s possible to learn sight-singing without having learned an instrument first. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

Can I Learn Sight-Singing if I Haven’t Learned an Instrument? Read More »

Singing Tongue Vowels - Male Singer

Singing Tongue Vowels

Shape Notes and Solfege, Singing in Tune / / , , ,

Do you have a hard time singing with a strong vocal tone? Do you want to be able to sing in tune? Controlling how you sing vowels will help you get a stronger tone and give you the tools to sing in tune. We’ll focus on tongue vowels today, because you’ll find tongue vowels easier to produce than lip vowels. Read more to learn about singing tongue vowels. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Singing Tongue Vowels Read More »

Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies - Computer Mouse on Sheet Music -Do People with ADHD Have Difficulty Playing from Sheet Music?

Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies

1 Comment / Shape Notes and Solfege / / , , , , , , , ,

Do you want to sing blues, gospel, or even mediaeval melodies? Are you confused about how modes work? Modes have the exotic feel of world music and music from ancient times. “Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies” helps you discover the sound of the modes. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies Read More »