solmization

[ sol-muh-zey-shuhn, sohl- ]

noun

, Music.

1. the act, process, or system of using certain syllables, especially the sol-fa syllables, to represent the tones of the scale.

solmization

/ ˌsɒlmɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. music a system of naming the notes of a scale by syllables instead of letters derived from the 11th-century hexachord system of Guido d'Arezzo, which assigns the names ut (or do ), re, mi, fa, sol, la, si (or ti ) to the degrees of the major scale of C ( fixed system ) or (excluding the syllables ut and si ) to the major scale in any key ( movable system ) See also tonic sol-fa

Word History and Origins

Origin of solmization¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from French solmisation, equivalent to solmis(er) ( sol + mi + -is(er) ) + -ation; sol ¹, mi, -ize, -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of solmization¹

C18: from French solmisation, from solmiser to use the sol-fa syllables, from sol ¹+ mi

Example Sentences

He is generally credited with having invented the art of solmization, the introduction of the staff, the use of the hand for teaching intervals, and the introduction of notes.

From Project Gutenberg