solfeggio

[ sol-fej-oh, -fej-ee-oh ]

noun

, Music.

, plural sol·feg·gi [sol-, fej, -ee], sol·feg·gios.

1. a vocal exercise in which the sol-fa syllables are used.
2. the use of the sol-fa syllables to name or represent the tones of a melody or voice part, or the tones of the scale, or of a particular series, as the scale of C; solmization.

solfeggio

/ sɒlˈfɛdʒɪəʊ; sɒlˈfɛʒ /

noun

1. a voice exercise in which runs, scales, etc, are sung to the same syllable or syllables
2. solmization, esp the French or Italian system, in which the names correspond to the notes of the scale of C major

Word History and Origins

Origin of solfeggio¹

1765–75; < Italian, derivative of solfeggiare, equivalent to solf ( a ) ( sol-fa ) + -eggiare v. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of solfeggio¹

C18: from Italian solfeggiare to use the syllables sol-fa; see gamut

Example Sentences

Cantilena, kan-ti-lē′na, n. a ballad or light song: a cantus firmus or melody for church use: a singing exercise or solfeggio.

From Project Gutenberg

Two years after this the tiny musician commenced to study solfeggi with Panseron, while Hérold gave her the first instruction on the piano.

From Project Gutenberg

So to ease the situation I gave lessons in solfeggio and on the piano in a poor little school in the neighborhood.

From Project Gutenberg

The large and magnificently-bound volume contains no series of solfeggi, but simply some scanty, musically impossible fiorituri, or musical examples borrowed from other works, which swim like little islands in an ocean of text.

From Project Gutenberg

I taught solfeggio as well as French horn in the Lyons Conservatory.

From Project Gutenberg