If you're like me, you first learned solfege from Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. This 1965 classic is still beloved today—it's a favorite among my elementary piano students!
Solfege is a useful tool for developing sight-singing and music-reading skills. It’s beneficial for teaching ear-training, harmonic function, and tonal relationships. It also promotes good vowels when singing, as each solfege syllable is a pure vowel sound.
In this post, I’m talking about the history of solfege, comparing fixed do vs. movable do systems, introducing the Kodály method and Curwen hand signs, and sharing eight strategies for teaching solfege to your elementary music class or choir.
The History of Solfege
Solfege is a method for introducing and teaching aural skills and understanding of pitch and a system used for sight singing. It dates back to the 11th century and the work of music theorist Guido d’Arezzo. There are two primary solfege systems: fixed do and movable do.
In the fixed do system, syllables are assigned to pitches (e.g. do = C).
In the movable do system, syllables assigned to scale degrees (e.g. do = 1st scale degree of a major scale). Movable do, also called tonic sol-fa was developed in England by Sarah Ann Glover in the 19th century (source).
Fun Fact: solfege syllables are based on an old Latin hymn where the syllables do, re, mi, etc. fall on their corresponding pitch.
The Benefits of Movable Do
Movable do situates melodies in a tonal context, focuses on the relationship between notes. It helps singers develop a more comprehensive understanding of music. It should be noted that when using the movable do system, more complex music may require prior analysis, especially for key areas that are ambiguous.
Fixed do is the equivalent of singing note names. Used in many Romance, Slavic, Spanish, and French-speaking countries, musicians may find it easier to sight-read using fixed do, as no prior analysis is needed. However, this system lacks context and a more comprehensive understanding. (source)
Solfege in the Kodály Method
Solfege is often associated with the Kodály Method, based on the work of Zoltán Kodály in Hungary during the mid-20th century. Kodály advocated for "sound before sight" and introducing new concepts through listening, singing, and movement.
The Kodály Method incorporates rhythm syllables and rhythmic movement (based on the work of Émile Jacques-Dalcroze), Glover’s movable do solfege, and John Curwen's hand signs (Kodály added the upward/downward movement where do falls at the waist and la at eye level).
Musical material is first introduced using sol and mi, then adding la and expanding out to the notes of the pentatonic scale. (source)
Solfege Teaching Strategies
Here are a few ways to incorporate solfege into your elementary music class or children's choir rehearsal:
1. Start with Warm-Ups
This is a great way to introduce solfege to your elementary-age choir. Use a simple sol-mi pattern or expand it to sol-mi-do or a descending 5-note scale (sol-fa-mi-re-do).
Related post: The Ultimate Guide to Children's Choir Warm-Ups
2. Use Call and Response
Use songs and patterns to develop listening skills (try choosing tonal patterns from a new anthem). Call on a few children to be leaders and sing a pattern for the group to echo back.
Related post: 40 Call and Response Songs and Games for Children’s Choir
3. Play a Solfege Game
Students love playing Secret Pattern (also called Poison).
Here’s how to play:
Choose a one-measure tonal pattern (e.g. sol-mi-sol). Sing it and tell students it's the secret/poison pattern. Then, perform a series of other tonal patterns with students echoing back. Sing the secret/poison pattern—if anyone echoes back, you get a point. If no one echoes, the students get a point.
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4. Transition to Note-Reading
Use the following steps to melodic reading:
Pictures: use icons on a blank background to show direction of pitches
Pictures/letters: use icons with letters (e.g. s for sol)
Hand signs/letters: use Curwen hand signs with letters
Letters: use letters alone
Letters/rhythm: add stems to letters to show melodic rhythm
Letters on staff: notate letters (no stems) on staff lines
Letters/rhythm on staff: add stems to show melodic rhythm
Noteheads on staff: draw noteheads on staff
Noteheads/rhythm on staff: add stems to show melodic rhythm
Noteheads/rhythm on staff with do notation: add a mark on line or space that is do
See an illustrated version of this progression here.
5. Use Tonal Pattern Cards
If your choir is beginning to read music notation, display a few tonal pattern cards or write 2-3 patterns on a whiteboard. Sing one and ask the choir to tell you which one they heard.
If you have a little more time in rehearsal, try letting your older elementary choir compose a short 4- or 8-bar piece using tonal pattern cards (this could also be a fun gathering activity). Teach the melody line of a new piece by having your choir sight-sing individual tonal pattern cards, then piece them together into a phrase.
Related post: Fun, Easy Gathering Activities for Children’s Choir
6. Use Body Solfege
This is a fun, effective way to teach solfege to younger elementary singers and it incorporates a little movement into your rehearsal! See printable posters below, under the Solfege Resources section. You can reinforce this concept with the Balloon Song, using notes of the C chord.
7. Use Solfege Hand Signs
The Curwen hand signs are a useful, practical way to help teach the solfege syllables and their relationship to each other. For instance, the sign for fa is a closed fist with thumb pointing down because the tendency of this note is to go to mi. See printable signs below, under the Solfege Resources section.
8. Sing a Folk Song
Take a break during rehearsal to sing something fun. Use folk songs and simple pieces that follow the progression outlined in the Kodály Method. Here are a few ideas (and music links):
sol, mi:
Lullaby
Gobble, Gobble
mi, sol, la:
Duerme, Mi Tesoro (Sleep, My Treasure)
Acka Backa
Pizza, Pizza, Daddy-O
Hickety, Pickety, Bumblebee
pentatonic:
All Night, All Day
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Button You Must Wander
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Heaven, Heaven
Churippu
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel
Oh, I’m Goin’ to Sing
There’s a Little Wheel
Tideo
I’ve Got Peace Like a River
diatonic:
When the Saints Go Marching In
Who Built the Ark?
Chumbara
Joy to the World
To a River
Solfege Resources
Ready to start teaching solfege to your elementary music class or choir? Here are a few resources to explore:
Solfege Flashcards - free printable color-coded flashcards (colors match Boomwhackers and children’s handbells)
Curwen Hand Sign Clipart - a set of printable Curwen hand sign posters in diverse skin tones
Movable Solfege Template (.doc file) - free Word document with staff lines and movable solfege labels
Body Scale Clipart - a set of body scale clip art images (in coordinating Boomwhacker colors and black and white)
Tonal & Rhythm Pattern Card Set (pictured above) - a practical tool to help children learn the language of music and develop their music-reading skills (Younger Elementary: K-2nd grade, Older Elementary: 3rd-5th grade)
The Do Re Mi Staircase - free printable characters for each step of the scale
I’d love to hear from you:
Do you use solfege with your elementary music class or choir? How do you incorporate it into your teaching?
P.S. You might also like these posts:
Introducing Do Re Mi
15 Singing Games for Children's Choir
How to Teach a Children's Choir Anthem by Rote
