In support of Solfeg

If you are new to using Solfeg or Solfeggio (The term Solfeggio is Italian, translations vary and can be used interchangeably.)  and wondering more about why we spend so much time on incorporating it into Let's Play Music, here is a bit more information.
Solfege means rather than singing the note names (C, D, E , F etc.) we sing and play on syllables
(Do, Re, Mi, Fa, etc.)  The popular song from the musical, "The Sound of Music" showed Maria teaching the children to sing by using the song " Do, a Deer."  Let's Play Music has used this method of  using music to teach musical concepts in all of our curriculum.  Spoiler Alert:  I can not wait to teach rhythm next semester in Blue Bugs, our bug chant is one of my favorites!

I was taught Solfeg for the first time in high school by our choir director.  I remember thinking it was odd.  It was also hard to learn, as a 16-17 year old, understanding how to add these syllables to the pitches we sang and using hand signs at the same time.
After watching my own 4 and 6 year old (both Let's Play Music first year students,) pick up the syllables and the hand signs with ease, I see now what my choir director was trying to accomplish with a bunch of high schoolers.  They are able to relate pitch from their voices (a child's first instrument) to their tone bells and the piano!
We use Zoltan Kodaly's method of adding hand signs which allow the children to feel the major scale.  The hand signs are structured in a a way that each one accurately links the pitch to its function within the scale.
We even use Solfeg "high fives" in class!  Ask your child to give you a "Ti tap" or a "Do bomb."  :)

Here is a great article in favor of using Solfeg with some interesting perspective if you would like to learn more.



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