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.
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:
For a full description see the posts below.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2022 Geoffrey Keith
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Have you gotten down reading the easier rhythmic syllables, but want to learn more? As you progress, you will hear that the added rhythm makes performing melodies much more fun. Read more to learn about singing sixteenth note rhythmic syllables. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Have you learned how to sight sing natural minor melodies, but want to be able to sing harmonic minor too? I can help. Read more to learn about singing shape note harmonic minor melodies. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
Have you gotten down sight singing major melodies, but want to be able to sing minor melodies? You have come to the right place. Read more to learn about singing shape note solfege minor melodies. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Have you gotten basic sight singing down, but want to expand beyond seven notes? Look no further. In this post you will sing both sharp and flat solfege notes with an emphasis on the flats. Read more to understand singing shape note solfege flats. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you have basic sight singing down, but want more than seven notes? “Sight Singing Chromatic Shape Notes” shows you how to sing sharps. In the last shape note post, we sang the first half of the chorus from “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” In this post, we will sing the second half of the chorus. However, we will need to learn how to sing sharp notes to do this. Read more to learn about sight singing chromatic shape notes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you struggle with singing accurate rhythm? This post expands your rhythmic flexibility, which makes singing melodies more fun. Click to learn how to sing with the Kodály rhythmic syllables. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you wish you could read rhythm better? “Sight Singing with Rhythmic Syllables” looks at rhythm. Also, we have sung so far in the keys of C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, and G major. In today’s singing lesson you will learn the keys of Ab, A, Bb, and B. Once again, the more keys you know, the better your reading will become. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Want to be able to sight sing melodies? Shape notes makes reading sheet music easier. The post also talks about breathing and phrase structure, and explores the keys of E, F, Gb, and G for both scales and songs. Read more for your shape note singing lesson. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you want to learn how to sight sing music? Today’s post continues to look at sight singing with solfege using shape notes. The more keys you practice in, the better your sight singing with solfege will become. We also discuss singing with power. Read more to learn how to sight sing with solfege. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Have you always wanted to sight sing music, but found it too hard? Shape notes can help. Also, last post centered on singing melodies with a specially tuned synth-organ sound. Namely, we focused on harmonic tuning. This week we will look at the same melodies, but from the angle of melodic tuning. Most of the examples have sing-along sound tracks, but the last example is a shape note sight singing quiz. Read more to experience shape note sight singing success. Estimated reading time 6 minutes.