As we learned in the previous two lessons on scale structure, both the Number System and Solfege can be used to describe the very same musical stuff…

Do=1, Re=2, Mi=3, Fa=4, So=5, La =6, and Ti =7.

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Which begs one to ask two questions:

1. Why two systems and not just one?
2. Which system should I learn?

And the answer is: You should learn both systems, for at least five reasons…

1. Both systems are widely-used in analyzing musical pattern such as scales, melodies, and chords progressions.
2. Neither system is perfect. Each has its pros and cons, capabilities and limits.
3. Both conventions will be used throughout the Piano-ology website as appropriate.
4. The Number System will be also be used to define chord structure (independent of tonality), as you will see when you study chords.
5. Solfege is more convenient when it comes to singing and ear training within a tonality.

learn more… Solfege and the Notion of Keys