Definition

1. Noun:
   • The fourth note of the diatonic scale in solmization: In music, "fa" is the syllable used to sing or name the fourth degree of a major scale in the movable-do solfège system.

Usage

• Noun:
  • In solfège, the notes are do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti.
  • When singing the scale, you must remember to hold the fa for two beats in this exercise.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The melody begins on the note fa.
  • She had trouble hitting the high fa in the song.

Advanced Usage

• "Fixed-do" vs. "Movable-do": In the "fixed-do" system, "fa" always corresponds to the note F. In the "movable-do" system, "fa" is the fourth scale degree of any major key.
  • In movable-do, if 'do' is C, then 'fa' is F. If 'do' is G, then 'fa' is C.

Variants and Related Words

• Fah: An alternative spelling for "fa".
  • The old music book spelled the note as 'fah'.

Synonyms

• Fourth: Referring to the fourth scale degree.
• Subdominant: The technical name for the fourth degree of the scale, of which "fa" is the solfège syllable.

Related Phrases

• Do-re-mi-fa: A common sequence when singing or teaching the solfège syllables.
  • The teacher had the class sing "do-re-mi-fa" up and down the scale.

Noun

1. the syllable naming the fourth (subdominant) note of the diatonic scale in solmization