How to use it
- Choose the key, which sets where do is.
- Type note names (c d e f g) or solfège (d r m f s).
- Read the converted line and play it back.
- Open Practice or Hand signs to keep learning.
Movable do in a nutshell
In movable-do solfège, do is always the home note of the key. In C major do is C; in G major do is G; the syllables describe each note's role in the scale, not its fixed pitch:
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syllable | do | re | mi | fa | sol | la | ti |
| Letter | d | r | m | f | s | l | t |
| In C major | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
| In G major | G | A | B | C | D | E | F♯ |
Raised notes become di, ri, fi, si, li; lowered notes me (lowered mi) and te (lowered ti). Minor keys here are la-based: A minor is sung la ti do re mi fa sol, using the do of its relative major. That's the approach of the Kodály method, used in many US elementary and choral music programs.
Convert both ways
Note names → solfège. Type notes separated by spaces: c d e f g g a a g, with octaves (C4 E4 G4) or accidentals (F#, Bb). Without octave numbers each note is placed as close as possible to the previous one. You get the solfège line, the compact letter form with octave marks (d' for high do, l, for low la), and the note names with octaves.
Solfège → note names. Type syllables or letters: d r m f s l t d', do re mi, or l, t, d for notes below do. Click a quick example like s m s m to start. The Copy button copies all versions at once.
You can also click keys on the piano keyboard to add notes, and Play sings the line back at slow, medium or fast speed, highlighting each note.
Ear-training practice
The Practice tab plays a short melody and you tap the syllables you hear in order. Four levels follow the Kodály sequence:
- sol–mi–la, the playground chant intervals children learn first.
- Pentatonic (d r m s l), five notes with no half steps.
- Extended pentatonic, adding low la and sol and high do.
- Diatonic, all seven notes of the major scale.
Choose a length of 3, 4 or 5 notes. With Play do first on, you hear the home note before each exercise. Random do pitch moves the key every time, so you learn to hear the syllables relatively rather than memorizing absolute pitches. Your score is shown as you go.
Curwen hand signs
The Hand signs tab describes the Curwen hand signs used in Kodály teaching, one for each syllable, with a button to hear it in the chosen key. The hand moves higher as the pitch rises:
- do: closed fist
- re: open hand, palm down, fingers slanting up
- mi: flat hand held level, palm down
- fa: fist with the thumb pointing down
- sol: flat hand upright, palm facing you
- la: relaxed hand drooping from the wrist
- ti: fist with the index finger pointing up diagonally
Everything runs in your browser. For fixed note names on a staff, try the note reading trainer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between movable do and fixed do?
In movable do, do is the tonic of whatever key you're in. In fixed do, do is always C. This tool uses movable do.
What are the solfège syllables?
Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, then do again an octave higher. Raised notes are di, ri, fi, si and li; lowered mi and ti are me and te.
How is minor sung in solfège here?
La-based: the minor key's home note is la. A minor runs la, ti, do, re, mi, fa, sol.
What do the ' and , marks mean?
They show octaves: d' is the do above, l, is the la below the main do.
Is this the Kodály method?
The syllables, the order of the practice levels and the hand signs follow the Kodály approach, which uses movable do with la-based minor.
Last updated: November 12, 2026