PUNCTUATION MARKS IN SOL-FA NOTATION.

PUNCTUATION MARKS IN SOL-FA NOTATION.

solfege or tonic sol-fa is one of the techniques for teaching sight-singing. It was invented by Sarah Ann Glover and popularized by Curwen. In English Language, correct punctuation adds clarity and precision to writing; it allows the writer to stop, pause, or give emphasis to certain parts of the sentence. In the same vein, punctuation marks give clear timing and directions to musical notes. It aids easy and correct interpretation of music. It also help in writing and reading of meaningful musical notes.

Below are the punctuation marks, their meanings and applications:

Ø  | - bar line- divides a piece into equal parts.

Ø  ||- double bar line- Indicates the end of a section or the end of the music.

Ø  / Forward struck is used to divide the bar into two equal parts for easy interpretation. E.g. |d:m/s:m|

Ø  : Colon- It helps to divide the bar into equal number of beats. E.g. |d:m/s:l|, |d:m:f:r|,|m:s:d|.

Ø  . Period - It indicates a half beat. E.g. | d.r:m.f:s.f:m.r|, |m.f:s.m:r.d|.

Ø  , Comma- Indicates a quarter beat. E.g. |d,r.d,r:m,f.m,f/s,l.s,l:r,m.r,d|, |m,f.s,l:d,r.m,r:d,m.r,d|.

Ø  - Hyphen-It's used to indicate a beat. E.g. |d:-:r:-|, |m:-:d|.

Ø  :: indicates a rest. E.g. |d: :m: |f:-: : |, |d: :m|f:-: |.

Ø  ' Apostrophe- It indicates the octave of a note. (d') is an octave high while (d,) is an octave down. E.g.. |d,:d:d':d|.

Ø  .,A period and comma-Indicates a three quarter beat. E.g. |d.,r:d.,r:m.,f:m.,f|.

INTERPRETATION OF NOTES

Ø  |d:-|                          A full note and a beat.

Ø  |d:-:-|                       Full note and two beats.

Ø  |d:-/-:-| or |d:-:-:-|   A full note and three beats.

Ø  |d:-/-: | or |d:-:-: |    A full note, two beats and a rest.

Ø  d.,r                           Half note (d.) , one quarter beat and one quarter note (,r).

Ø  |d,r.d,r:                    Four one quarter notes equal to one full beat.