Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to learn how to transition from shape notes to standard notation? Have you ever wondered when you should use the special solfege syllables for sharp and flat notes? Standard notation gives you clues on when to use the diatonic solfege syllables versus the chromatic syllables. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I switch from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation?”
For a review of how shape notes and solfege work:
This post uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
Chromatic Solfege Syllables and Switching from Shaped Notes to Standard Notation
“How do I switch from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation?” Basically, you figure out what sharps or flats will be part of the key.
- Once, you’ve done that, any other sharps, flats, or naturals not in the key will need chromatic solfege syllables.
- When figuring out the key, you’ll need the strategies that we discussed in part 1.
Use the key signature to figure out the solfege syllables for the key. These two sections of the part 1 post will show you how to do it:
- How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation: Sharps Section
- How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation: Flats Section
Once you know what sharps or flats you have in the song’s key, any sharps or flats outside of the key will need special solfege syllables. These posts tell you what they are:
Carolina in the Morning and Switching from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation
“How do I switch from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation?” I have provided an excerpt from the song Carolina in the Morning.
- The example uses shape notes and has the solfege syllables below the staff.
- I’ve included a soundtrack of the excerpt so you can hear what it sounds like.
- Also, I’ve provided a video so you can hear the whole song.
- Use the information at the above links to work out why those are the solfege syllables you’d need for this excerpt.
- Once you can do that, you can try to figure out the solfege syllables for the quiz below.
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
Carolina in the Morning:
Video: Carolina in the Morning
How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation: Quiz
Summary for “How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation”
Here’s a summary of the steps for switching from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation:
- Figure out the song’s key.
- The first note of the key, the tonic, will always be the solfege syllable Do.
- From there you can work out the other solfege syllables by following the notes of the key.
- Once you know what sharps or flats you have in the key, any sharps or flats outside the key will need special solfege syllables.
Singers new of solfege can write the syllables in the sheet music. Having said that, always work toward memorizing the solfege syllables for each key.
Have fun singing!
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
Musical Talent and Giftedness
Music teachers: do you have students who show musical talent and giftedness? Do you need some information on how they learn? With musically gifted and talented students, just like any other students, you need to meet them where they’re at, making the adjustments in their playing based on what you see. That way, they can become better students than before they came to you. Keep reading to learn more about musical talent and giftedness. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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Songwriting – Let Her Scream
Do your lyrics lack powerful emotions? Do you want to learn how to write using stronger images? Take Mark Twain’s advice, “Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” The first of Twain’s sentences uses abstract language, but the second uses concrete images instead. Simply put, when you describe a scene, you need to show it rather than tell it. "Songwriting - Let Her Scream" shows you how. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Do I Really Have to Learn Music Theory to Learn How to Play Piano?
Do you want to give up on learning music theory? Does it seem pointless to you? Music theory can help with sight reading skills on the piano. It’ll be useful for improvisation and composition. It even helps with performance practice. If you still have an open mind, read “Do I Really Have to Learn Music Theory to Learn How to Play Piano?” to understand the ways it can help you to better play the instrument. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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Why Do Crazy Chromatic Notes and Chords Work?
Have you ever seen a crazy chromatic scale or chord and wondered why it works? Do you want to understand how to write them? Chromatic notes and harmonies are effective because they take bad sounding dissonance and resolve it to good sounding consonance. Keep reading “Why Do Crazy Chromatic Notes and Chords Work?” to learn how chromatic harmony functions. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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