Compare Systems

Advantages
vs
Disadvantages

Numbers|Movable Do|Fixed Do




Numbers
Used in place of notes.

Advantages
Disadvantages
  1. Easy to learn.
  2. Only seven different things to remember: The numbers 1 - 7.
  3. Perfect ascending intervals in a major scale: Perfect unison, Perfect fourth (P4), Perfect fifth (P5) and Perfect octave (P8) will always sound the same in major or minor intervals.
  1. Use of numbers is not musical. Diphthongs and hard consonants abound. The number seven must be contracted to sev'n to avoid singing two rhythmic sounds when quarter notes may be called for.
  2. Descending intervals (numbers) sound different than ascending intervals.
  3. Accidentals (sharps, flats or naturals) in a scale must be accommodated by singing two rhythmic sounds, i.e. "three flats," "five sharps."
  4. Numbers do not develop a sense of relative pitch.
  5. Modulations to new keys are not easily performed.


Movable Do


Advantages
Disadvantages
  1. Easy to learn, only seven syllables (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do).
  2. "Do" is always the tonic (root) note in any major scale.
  3. Very musical to sing. Involves no diphthongs or hard consonants.
  4. Pure minor scale exercises may be accommodated by starting on la.
  1. Does not develop a sense of relative pitch. "Do" is always changing as the key signature changes.
  2. Accidentals (sharp, flats or naturals) must still be accommodated by "change."
  3. Modulations to new keys are not easily performed.
  4. Harmonic and melodic minor scales as well as modes must also be accommodated by a "change."
Fixed Do
Advantages
Disadvantages
  1. Very musical to sing. Involves no diphthongs or hard consonants.
  2. Develops a strong sense of "relative" pitch, as A is always the syllable "la." "Do" is always C. "Re" is always D, etc.
  3. Easily accommodates modulations and key changes.
  4. No need to accommodate accidentals (sharps, flats or naturals).
  1. Takes longer to learn the twenty-one syllables used in the Fixed Do Method.

 

 



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