Question

When sight-reading this as Do, Re, Mi, etc, what solfège would the starting note be? Do sharps of flats, change any of this?

Answer 1

When sight-reading using the solfège syllables (Do, Re, Mi, etc.), the starting note:

• Is typically Do, unless there is an accidental (sharp/flat) next to the starting note.

• If there is a sharp next to the starting note, you would use the solfège syllable for the next higher note in the scale, e.g. a C sharp would become De.

• If there is a flat next to the starting note, you would use the solfège syllable for the next lower note in the scale, e.g. a C flat would become Ces.

So sharps and flats will adjust the solfège syllable for the starting note. For example:

• C - Do

• C sharp - De

• C flat - Ces

• D - Re

• E flat - E

• E - Mi

• F sharp - Fi

• G - Sol

• A - La

• B flat - Si

• B - Ti

Does that help explain how to determine the solfège syllable for sight-reading music with sharps and flats? Let me know if you have any other questions!