Klarinet Archive - Posting 000497.txt from 2004/01

From: AnneLenoir@-----.net (Anne Lenoir)
Subj: Re: [kl] Best Etudes/Method for Learning Scales?
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 20:57:08 -0500

Dear Mike,
Do you know all of your scales, say for one octave, and can you play
them all the way around the Circle of 5ths?
If you are really "learning" your scales for the first time, I
really do believe that memorizing them is the best way to go. The reason
that I believe in memorization first is because they are easier to learn
without staring at a scale sheet. You will have the rest of your life to
sit in front of a music stand and "read" your scales, whether from
Klose, Baerman, or Rubank.
I know this for a fact because all of the band directors in my
school district have regular "stand-up scale tests" where the students
have to stand up and play the scale that they have been assigned for
memory. The 7th graders usually play one octave versions and the 8th
graders are strongly encouraged to play the 2 or 3 octave versions. At
this time of year, right before solo & ensemble contest, they have
almost made it around the entire circle. It takes a good part of each
clarinet lesson for me to get them prepared for their "stand-ups", by
learning the scale "with them", one note at a time, until they can go
up-&-down by themselves and play the arpeggio at the end. I try to make
it to the band room every week on the day when they do their stand-ups.
The first time attended this event, I was very surprized at how much the
kids enjoyed the stand-ups. Whenever anybody did a particularly good job
on their scale, the other band members would shuffle their feet, just
the way they do in orchestras.
I also teach "FLUTAPHONE" at the Golden Montessori School to 1st &
2nd graders. We have had all kinds of fun learning simple tunes to cover
the holes and go down the scale. Just for fun, I had them make believe
that they were all seventh graders playing their "stand-ups" on a C
Major scale. I taught them the scale and the arpeggio, and each of them
stood up and played it alone. When they played alone, just like in Jr.
High, everybody was as quiet as a mouse. At that age, they love to stand
up and play for the rest of the class of about 6 members. I told them
that they all sounded great and "passed" their stand up. They wanted to
do it again the next week.
I think that once you can play all of your scales for one octave,
that it is your choice to work on any materials containing scales that
you personally choose. I think it should be your choice. They are all
good. ANNIE

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