Definition of tonic sol-fa in US English:
tonic sol-fa
nounˌtänik ˈsōlˌfäˌtɑnɪk ˈsoʊlˌfɑ
A system of naming the notes of the scale (usually do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti) developed in England and used especially to teach singing, with do as the keynote of all major keys and la as the keynote of all minor keys.
See solmization
Example sentencesExamples
- The tonic sol-fa method for sight-singing was much used in schools and by choirs, especially Welsh male-voice choirs.
- Some hymn books had staff notation and words, some were words only and some were words and tonic sol-fa.
- He took lessons in piano and harmony from the local organist, bought a cello and started to learn it, and at the age of sixteen made his first attempts at composition, initially in tonic sol-fa.
- A knowledge of tonic sol-fa is most helpful to the instrumentalist.