Whoever Desires to Be First

Solfège & Scripture Level 1

Song 4: Whoever Desires to Be First
Pitches: do - re - mi
Lyrics: Matthew 20:26

Solfège and Scripture is a curriculum for learning how to read music. It is based on the Tonic Sol-fa (do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do) using a moveable "do" method. It was first invented by Sarah Ann Glover (1785-1867) of Norwich, England. Then Reverend John Curwen (1816-1880) popularized it and developed the hand signs. Zoltán Kodály learned of the Tonic Sol-fa method while visiting England and included it in his music education method. Sol-fa became the term Solfège we hear today.

Similar to the Kodály method, Solfège & Scripture is based on "authentic" folk songs and high quality music. Instead of including the folk song lyrics, the lyrics were replaced with scripture mostly from the King James Bible and adapted as needed sometimes to fit the notes (omitting “an” or “the” or “un” in “unto” or parts of verses, but only if the meaning of the text stays the same). I really wanted to provide a way for students to be singing and memorizing the Word with both Old and New Testament verses.

Solfège and Scripture Books can be purchased to see the notes in print and for additional resources like physical warm-ups, vocal warm-up suggestions, more help when singing in different languages, and a practice chart.

The watercolor hand signs were made by Lamber Teach Music on Teachers Pay Teacher. I made a slight adjustment so that students could sing "so" instead of "sol" which is commonly done to avoid tongue tension.

If you are interested in ordering books, or taking lessons, please email me at:
sarahsamuelsonstudio@gmail.com

Happy singing!! :)
Kindly,
Sarah Samuelson

Видео Whoever Desires to Be First канала Sarah Samuelson Studio