Numerical sight-singing, an alternative to the solfege system of sight-singing, is a musical notation system that numbers the diatonic scale with the numbers one through eight (or, alternately, one to seven, with the octave again being one).
| Scale degree | Number | Solfege Syllable | Note if in key of C major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unison, Octave | "one" | Do | C |
| Augmented unison | "ouey" ("way") | Di | C♯ |
| Minor second | "ta" | Ra | D♭ |
| Major second | "two" | Re | D |
| Augmented second | "tay" | Ri | D♯ |
| Minor third | "thra" | Mé | E♭ |
| Major third | "three" or "ti" | Mi | E |
| Perfect fourth | "four" | Fa | F |
| Augmented fourth | "fair" | Fi | F♯ |
| Diminished fifth | "fahv" | Se | G♭ |
| Perfect fifth | "five" | Sol | G |
| Augmented fifth | "fave" | Si | G♯ |
| Minor sixth | "sahx" | Le | A♭ |
| Major sixth | "six" | La | A |
| Augmented sixth | "sakes" | Li | A♯ |
| Minor seventh | "sahv" | Te | B♭ |
| Major seventh | "seven" or "sev" | Ti | B |
In this system, 1 is always the root or origin, but the scale being represented may be major, minor, or any of the diatonic mode. Accidentals (sharps and flats outside the key signature) are noted with a + or - when the numbers are written, but are often skipped when they are spoken or sung.
In some pedagogies involving numerical sight-singing notation students are not taught to modify vowels to represent sharp or flat notes. In these cases the students usually name the note and whether it is flat or sharp. For example, an augmented unison ("ouey") might be called "one sharp," and in some other pedagogies this same pitch may also simply be called "one."
Read more about Numerical Sight-singing: Comparison With Other Systems
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