FOREWORD
David Chi-beng Yap’s latest book, 27 Lessons on Solfeggio, finds relevance in an appropriate basic approach to music education and choir training based on the principle of the Kodaly Method.
It systematically covers training in fundamentals of scales on fixed “do” from the pentatonic to the diatonic, chromatic and atonal scales, as well as their relative Modulations in movable “do” solfege. Familiarity in the two approaches to sofege makes for facility and versatility in both methods that would require much skill. Pointers and steps on the use of the book are clearly given to increase learning processes not only in unison singing but also in part· singing. Varied rhythmic patterns are used to encourage creativity in the solfege exercises.
The many fruitful years of experience of Prof. Yap in handling choral training and direction are reflected aptly in this set of solfeggio lessons toward effective and functional ends. Every music educator should be made aware of the unique Yap approach to musical training.
