A Theory Prof by Any Other Name

Kyle -

Great! For years, I've used A-F-(blank)-E for LaFave: solfegge "La" (A) "Fa"( F), and then nothing for the V (what could THAT be?) and the final E. Now I can confidently stick a V chord in where the blank used to be. Only...a V chord in what key? The A and F imply F major, so should that be a C major triad? And then there's the real problem: the result is BORING!

FYI, I've at last started a blog at composerlafave@typepad.com, if you want to check it out.

- Ken LaFave

As "Spiegelberg" means "mirror mountain," mine should be Berg's code preceded by its retrograde.

Kyle, do you happen to know who originated the chromatic version of this? i.e, A (letter)=A (pitch), B=Bb, C=B, D=C, E=C#, F=D, G=D#, etc.

I know John Hollenbeck's used it in a number of his pieces, but it's such an obvious solution to the problem of translating words to pitch collections that it seems like the sort of thing someone would have hit on long ago.

KG replies: I've never heard of John Hollenbeck, but I have known of friends using a similar system. Anyone with a historical citation, please fill us in.

In answer to Tim's post, I understand your point and we are careful to avoid too many stories.

http://spartan.cis.temple.edu/synergy/_knobas/0000031e.htm