BRIEF HISTORY OF FIXED DO SOLMIZATION IN JAPAN

The Fixed DO solmization system which is used mainly in Latin language countries and the former USSR, was introduced to Japan by pianist Kiyohide Sonoda in the 1930s. The effectiveness was soon recognised in the out-school music education setting but the school music curriculum continued to use the Movable DO as the compulsory solmization system. Within a half century, however, Fixed DO naturally developed and not only pupils but teachers who had been taught in Fixed DO in their childhood became comfortable teaching and learning in Fixed DO. Subsequently, Movable DO in school textbooks has become very limited.