Movable Do
In movable do, relative solmization, the syllables do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti name the degrees of a scale, not fixed pitches. In C major do is the note C, in G major the note G. A melody thus keeps the same syllables in every key. Its counterpart is fixed do.
- Syllables
- do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti
- Semitones in major
- always mi – fa and ti – do
- Where used
- among others the Kodály method; in Germany as Tonika-Do
- Counterpart
- fixed do: do = C
Syllables for degrees, not for notes
In movable do the solmization syllables stand for degrees of the scale. In major, do is always the tonic, re the second degree, mi the third and so on. When the key changes, do moves with it: in C major it is C, in G major G, in F major F. This is why it is called relative solmization.
Opening of a melody in C major: do – re – mi – do
Our own example: do – re – mi – do, mi – fa – sol. Here do is the note C.
The same melody in G major: again do – re – mi – do
All notes lie a fifth higher, the syllables stay the same: now G is do. Between mi and fa (B – C) there is again a semitone.
Same syllables, same distances
Because the syllables are tied to the degrees, they name the same distances in every key. Between mi and fa and between ti and do there is always a semitone, otherwise whole tones. If you have learnt a melody in syllables, you can therefore sing it in any key without learning it anew.
| Degree | Syllable | C major | G major | F major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | do | C | G | F |
| 2 | re | D | A | G |
| 3 | mi | E | B | A |
| 4 | fa | F | C | B♭ |
| 5 | sol | G | D | C |
| 6 | la | A | E | D |
| 7 | ti | B | F♯ | E |
Where it is used
Relative solmization is the principle of the Kodály method. In German-speaking countries it became known as Tonika-Do, developed by Agnes Hundoegger. Its counterpart is fixed do, in which do always means C, as in Italian and French solfège. More on its origin and the hand signs on the page Solmization.
Common mistakes
- Equating do with C: In movable do that holds only in C major.
- Keeping the syllables when the key changes but not shifting the notes: When the key changes, do moves to the new tonic.
- Mixing movable and fixed do: In a group it should be clear which system applies; otherwise “sol” can mean a degree or the note G.
Continue on Maikstrings
Related terms
SolmizationFixed DoHexachordGuidonian handMutationKodály hand signsTonicSolfeggioAbsolute pitch
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 4 October 2026
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