Mi
/miː/noun
The third syllable of the fixed-do solfège scale, representing the third degree of a major scale.
Did you know?The syllable mi was taken from the opening of the Latin phrase “mira gestorum,” meaning “wondrous deeds,” in the hymn used by Guido of Arezzo to teach singers in the 11th century.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
mīrus
“Wonderful, astonishing, or marvelous; the deeper root behind the hymn’s word mira.”
11th Century
Medieval Latin
mira
““Wonderful” or “wondrous,” appearing in the phrase “mira gestorum” in the hymn “Ut queant laxis.””
11th Century
Italian tradition
mi
“The third solmization syllable selected from the opening syllables of mira.”
16th Century
Italian
mi
“A standard solfège syllable for the third degree of the scale.”
17th Century
English
mi
“An English musical term borrowed from Italian solfège.”
Modern English
English
mi
“The third note of the solfège scale, commonly corresponding to E in fixed-do notation.”