CPTP109: What is Solfa and How Does it Help Students with Christopher Sutton




Creative Piano Teaching Podcast show

Summary: <br> Depending on where you got your musical start, solfa might be an integral part of your musicianship – or it might be a foreign language.<br> If you didn’t learn solfa growing up or never felt like you had a”good ear” it can be intimidating to launch into solfa exercises in your teaching. It’s tempting to just pick up a book of exam ear exercises and practice those before the big day.<br> But you’ll be missing out on so much goodness, and your students will be too. Ear training with solfa can be fun, practical and above all truly musical. <br> <br> Christopher Sutton has some fantastic tips to share with us today all about using solfa in your piano teaching. Many of these ideas were new to me – and are things I’m definitely going to be using going forward.<br> Take a listen and see if you’re persuaded by the power of solfa too.<br> Transcript<br> If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.<br> Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. <a href="https://members.timtopham.com/inner-circle/join-the-community/" target="_blank">Not a member?</a><br>  <br> In this episode, you’ll learn<br> <br> * Why Christopher is so passionate about aural<br> * What solfa or solfege is<br> * Why solfa is such a powerful musical tool<br> * How it can be used in your teaching<br> * The difference between movable and fixed solfa<br> * How to get started with achievable solfa exercises<br> * How solfa can help with chord theory<br> <br> Links Mentioned<br> <br> * <a href="https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-perfect-pitch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Musicality podcast episode 9: About perfect pitch</a><br> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tim.topham.9/videos/1431897750262935/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook video about aural tests in exams</a><br> * <a href="https://timtopham.com/training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Making Aural Fun Webinar</a><br> <br> Today’s Sponsor<br> “I am thrilled to be the brand ambassador for these incredible, dynamic, game-changing instruments developed by Casio – the Celviano Grand Hybrid pianos. If a person desires the qualities of a grand piano (or even more than one) but doesn’t own a manor house to place it in, the Celviano Grand Hybrid is your answer.” – Simon Tedeschi<br> The Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid range is the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. Developed in collaboration with C. BECHSTEIN, Casio has introduced a game changer – offering an acoustic grand piano action, response and feel, with the benefits of a digital piano.<br> Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid features at a glance:<br> <br> * Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio<br> <br> Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.<br> <br> * AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§  Berlin (C. Bechstein)<br> <br> *  Hamburg (Steinway)<br> *  Vienna (Bosendorfer)<br> * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)<br> <br> * Grand Acoustic Sound System<br> <br> *   6 x speakers, 2 amps<br> *    Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field<br> <br> * Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing<br> * Dual headphone capability<br> * Piano duet mode<br> <br> <a href="http://www.soundtechnology.com.au/products/celviano_grand_hybrid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.</a><br> Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership<br> As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign...