sol-fa

American  

[sohl-fah, sohl-fah] / ˌsoʊlˈfɑ, ˈsoʊlˌfɑ /

noun

1. 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.

2. the system of singing tones to these syllables.

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verb (used without object)

sol-faed, sol-faing

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

verb (used with object)

sol-faed, sol-faing

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

sol-fa British  

/ ˈsɒlˈfɑː /

noun

1. short for tonic sol-fa

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• sol-faist noun

Etymology

Origin of sol-fa

1560–70; sol ¹ + fa; see gamut

Example Sentences

Free use is made of the tonic sol-fa as well as the standard notation in many musical examples.

From The Influence of the Organ in History Inaugural Lecture of the Department of the Organ in the College of Music of Boston University by Buck, Dudley

"Dodo" may be impersonated by showing a bar of music containing the two representative notes of the tonic sol-fa method.

From Breakfasts and Teas Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce, Paul

Perowne unveiled, at the church of St. Laurence, Norwich, a bronze memorial in commemoration of the work done by Miss Sarah Ann Glover in the cause of sol-fa music. 

From Norfolk Annals A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2 by Mackie, Charles

The tune of My Country, 'Tis of Thee, as printed in tonic sol-fa notation below will make these points clear.

From Music Notation and Terminology by Gehrkens, Karl Wilson

By the phonetic system any spoken language can now be learned quickly and easily, just as by the sol-fa system the teaching of music was made easy and simple.

From Society for Pure English, Tract 02 On English Homophones by Bridges, Robert Seymour