You Opinion- "La" Based Minor versus "Do" minor

I was taught relative pitch with numbers (1-8), major and minor. I don't think it worked as well as do does. I never heard of movable la (starting on a minor) but it makes sense. I'll try it sometime.

Whatever knowledge I took with me from High School when starting my undergrad studies, I had learned largely on my own. I could sight read, but in my high school choir, all you needed to do was be able to memorize the pitches, since if things got botched up the first 'read through' we'd wind up getting the parts hammered out to us anyway. I knew the sound of intervals going into college, and I knew their numbers(perfect 5th, etc) and I knew note names, but once you incorporate all the other stuff, it still helps to have started with a refresher of the basics, just in case. The only reason I knew anything of 'do-re-mi' was from "The Sound of Music" movie.

In college, we used just about everything standard. We covered all the traditional ways, but since my theory teacher was one of the Jazz instructors, he always harped on scale degrees and modes, as well as solfegge. We were introduced to all 3 on the first day of class. We used Movable DO, unless dealing with atonal or polytonal music, and always with the corresponding modes and scale degrees( C/1 major/ionian, or F/4 Lydian, A/6 aeolian....etc)

"Become familiar with these, and you have the basis of Western Music Theory."-(His speech in the first class)

I prefer the "la-based minor" one, but any type of solmisation can be useful for singing. I also interested in the old hexachord solfege with 6 scale degrees only, but with 3 different hexachords (ut,re,mi,fa,sol,la with C ut, G ut and F ut hex.scales).

M

I think it's interesting that FSU uses numbers, as I don't think that is a good idea at all. It does nothing to differentiate whole steps versus whole steps and major versus minor.

The thing that I see as a positive for la based minor is the fact that you wouldn't have to change any of the syllables whereas with do based you do ("le, te) to get your flat 6th and 7th scale degrees.

Great discussion though all, I appreciate it!

I think it's interesting that FSU uses numbers, as I don't think that is a good idea at all.

Yeah, I don't think they know what they are doing. I don't like it either. :whistling:

Yeah, I don't think they know what they are doing. I don't like it either. :whistling:

Hey now, don't hate!!!:P

I just think with numbers, you don't get the relationship between whole and half steps and major versus minor as you would with solfege.:D

I really recommend checking out this guys blog, he just posted on the subject of La vs. Do based minors, and he knows his stuff.

iGetIt! Music

His point that Do based minor is an artifact of non isomorphic instruments (different fingering for each key) is well substantiated, and it seems la based minor is ideal for isomorphic (same fingering in every key) instruments like some accordians, the thummer

.: | Thumtronics - The new shape of music | :.

as well as the voice.

Hope this helps,

John M

I really recommend checking out this guys blog, he just posted on the subject of La vs. Do based minors, and he knows his stuff.

iGetIt! Music

His point that Do based minor is an artifact of non isomorphic instruments (different fingering for each key) is well substantiated, and it seems la based minor is ideal for isomorphic (same fingering in every key) instruments like some accordians, the thummer

.: | Thumtronics - The new shape of music | :.

as well as the voice.

Hope this helps,

John M

That does make a lot of sense. Though I would word what you said differently. Haha.