Klarinet Archive - Posting 000449.txt from 1997/05

From: SDM@-----. Morrow)
Subj: Re: Why learn scales?
Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 13:25:56 -0400

>The current discussion on learning scales memorized/writing them out, etc.
>makes me wonder. I thought I knew why we learn scales and such, but now
>I'm less sure. Maybe there are reasons I'm missing.
>
>
>Martin
>

I believe the reason (similar to your "#1")* is to help burn the
synapses of those patterns into your brain so when you hit those patterns,
you don't trip over your fingers (please pardon the mixed metaphor!).
Admit it: when you see a two-octave 32nd note run approaching, don't you
breathe a sigh of relief when you notice it's just a C-major scale? Why
not expand that "knowledge" to as many patterns (or "syllables" or
"clusters", to use your reading anaology) of scales and arpeggios as we
can?

-Scott

*"1. We practice scales and arpeggios (s&a) because they are common patterns
in most music we play. We can't practice all possible sequences of notes
with complete diligence, so we pick out some of the most common patterns."

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410) 955-3631

SDM@-----.edu