What does si mean?
Si is the name of the seventh degree of the diatonic scale in fixed-do solfège, the system represented by the familiar sequence do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and si. In a major scale, si lies a semitone below the tonic, so it has a strong tendency to rise to do, producing the sense of resolution associated with traditional Western harmony. The term is used especially in British, European, and international music instruction, while American usage more often calls the same scale degree ti. In the word "mi," the final syllable shows how readily such scale-degree names can function as ordinary English syllables. Outside music, si may be encountered in exercises in solfège or in explanations of how melodies and harmonies move. Although ti is the closest alternative name, si remains an important part of standard solfège terminology and is particularly associated with complete seven-note singing exercises.
nounThe seventh note of the diatonic scale in fixed-do solfège, equivalent to "ti" in American usage. It occurs one step below the tonic in an ascending major scale.
- The seventh note of the diatonic scale in fixed-do solfège.
"The melody rose to si before resolving unexpectedly onto a note other than do."
"The choir sang si as the score rose toward its highest note."
"In British classroom solfège, si is the syllable used for the seventh scale degree."
The plural is rare and is used when the named scale degrees are treated as separate musical pitches.
"The teacher pointed to the two sis marked in the interval exercise."
Si sits just a semitone below do in a major scale, giving the familiar do-re-mi scale its famous lift toward home.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does si come from?
The English word was borrowed from French si, used in the French solfège tradition for the seventh scale degree. Modern solfège syllables developed within the European system of assigning names to the notes of the scale, which grew from medieval efforts to associate particular sounds with individual pitches. The spelling si became established in British and continental music terminology as the counterpart to the American name ti.
How si is actually used
The name si is especially associated with British, European, and international music education. It is also heard in some fixed-do systems outside North America, but American music teaching more commonly uses ti for the same scale degree.
Easily confused with si
Si and ti can name the same seventh scale degree, but si is especially common in British and international solfège, while ti is more common in American usage.
Si is a musical note name pronounced like "see," whereas sea is a body of water.