Is There a Better Way to Learn Sight Singing?

Before we can find out if there is a better way to learn sight singing, we need to compare notation systems.

First, we’ll look at standard notation. Standard notation works like a graph. (See the first example above.) One axis shows the pitch, while the other records the timing. You change notes by going up and down from line to space on the staff. This tells you what key, fret, or valve to play – at least for instruments.

For voice, you need to use solfege. Solfege uses a song, such as Do, Re, Mi, to help you remember the sound of each note on the staff. (See the second example above and the video below.)

However, it gets more complex when you try to change keys. Look at the first example below. On the left side of the staff, you’ll see a series of hashtags. We call these hashtags sharps. They tell us to sing the approximate pitch value of the black keys on the piano.

With movable Do solfege, you’ll need to know what key you’ll sing in before you start performing the piece. This means that you’d need to look at the key signature and analyze the piece so that you know which note will be Do.

On the other hand, with shape notes each notes shape represents its own solfege syllable. You don’t need to analyze the song to sing the second example below. This makes it easier to sight sing. For a detailed discussion of how shape notes work:

• Shape Note Sight Singing Success