sol-fa

[ sohl-fah, sohl-fah ]

/ ˌsoʊlˈfɑ, ˈsoʊlˌfɑ /

noun

Music. the set of syllables, do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti, sung to the respective tones of the scale. All but do and ti are attributed to Guido d'Arezzo.

the system of singing tones to these syllables.

verb (used without object), sol-faed, sol-fa·ing.

to use the sol-fa syllables in singing, or to sing these syllables.

verb (used with object), sol-faed, sol-fa·ing.

to sing to the sol-fa syllables, as a tune.

Nearby words

soken, sokhumi, sokoto, sokotra, sol, sol-fa, sol., sola, solace, solan, solana

Origin of sol-fa

1560–70; sol¹ + fa; see gamut

Related forms

sol-fa·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sol-fa

They sing to la and sol-fa syllables scales gradually rising.
The Boy's Voice|J. Spencer Curwen
Singing any well-known hymn-tune, or simple melody of the Folk Song type, using the Sol-fa names of the notes.
Music As A Language|Ethel Home
To those who are not accustomed to the Sol-fa notation it appears at first sight a useless encumbrance.
Music As A Language|Ethel Home
Give the hand sign for this note, according to the Sol-fa plan, and tell the children that the note is called doh.
Music As A Language|Ethel Home

The class sings it through twice, first using the Sol-fa names for the notes, then singing to lah.
Music As A Language|Ethel Home

British Dictionary definitions for sol-fa

sol-fa

/ (ˈsɒlˈfɑː) /

noun

short for tonic sol-fa

verb -fas, -faing or -faed

US to use tonic sol-fa syllables in singing (a tune)

Word Origin for sol-fa

C16: see gamut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012