 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-08-22 18:31
In college I was taught that a big part of solving a problem is being able to state the problem correctly. So forgive me if I don’t pose this question properly.
Practicing simple scales, say C, F, and G majors are relatively easy. When more sharps and flats are introduced, however, it gets a bit more complicated, and of course, that’s to be expected.
I would ask you if there’s a simple way to introduce these sharps and flats into the scales other than just “go slowly”, which is what I do with the more difficult ones.
For example, if I’ve been trying to increase my tempo in the C scale, and then go to the F scale, I sometimes will automatically substitute a B for a Bb. Or if I’m playing the D scale, I’ll hit a C rather than a C#, etc.
I know my scales, key signatures, etc, but I have to go really slow in order not to mess up when I go to the more difficult scales.
At what point does this get easier, since there are 12 major scales to think about (and multiple minors), etc? How does one “trick” his/her mind when going to different scales?
It seems it will take forever before I'll be able to just let E Major just "roll off my fingers"!!
Kind of dumb questions I know, but your answers will be enlightening I’m sure.
CarlT
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-08-22 18:40
There are probably several ways to accomplish this so I'm going to give you my recommendation. Most if it is concentration but you want a method. Get a book like the Baermann BK 2 method, scales and chords etc. or begin with the Albert Scale book, the same principal but much less involved, it's in the Lazuras method book 2 as well, a fine method book. I always used that first before going to the Baermann with a high school student. Practice the entire page of each key, maybe begin with just the first half and after a few days add the second half. This will give you plenty of practice in that key in different formations. The Baerman does the same thing but on a much larger scale and not all on one page. When giving lessons I would assign half a page a week, if the student was quick I'd assign a whole page a week, at least in the easier keys. Try to follow this method so it absorbs into your brain but you still have to concentrate. :-) ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: normancult
Date: 2011-08-22 20:27
Buy the Gaston Hamelin Gammes et Exercices pour la Clarinette (ed. Alphonse Leduc).
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-08-22 20:31
A big part of playing the right notes in larger key signatures is hearing the notes before you play each one. Hearing in advance of playing whether the interval needs to be a whole step or a half step can go a long way toward preventing many wrong notes in scales (and other music contexts as well). The books Ed mentions are good - I use the Albert book with my high school students, too. But the bottom line no matter what routines you use to practice scales is that your ear and aural imagination need to be actively engaged.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-08-23 01:04
Of course I must ask..... why do you practice C major?
It's been my experience that if you concentrate your time on Gb major/Eb minor, B major/G#minor, etc., the easier keys will be for lack of a better term "easier."
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-08-23 02:30
Major scale steps:
Whole
Whole
Half
Whole
Whole
Whole
Half
Without looking at any music. Start on the first note of the scale you want to play.
(Pick the lowest starting note you can reach.)
Then, play the proper series of whole and half steps while listening. Go up only to an even octave (start in Eb, end on Eb). Wait for later to fill in the notes below and above your starting and ending notes.
Then, play the corresponding arpeggio. First, Third, Fifth, Octave --and continue through the range up and down.
Notice that, when you've got the first register E-Major scale memorized that you've got the second register B-Major scale also in-hand. Probably the only learning advantage of the Clarinet over sax, flute, ... Similarly, Low reg F = 2nd register C, Low register Ab ==> second register Eb.
Bob Phillips
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Author: grenadilla428
Date: 2011-08-23 13:29
Some of my students learn their scales better by watching the page - what does it look like. Some of my students learn their scales better by finding a pattern to the fingers - how does it feel. Some of my students learn their scales better by hearing it as they play - what does it sound like.
Some use a combination of these.
No one has expressed that the scales taste different to them. ;-) But, they clearly are visual, aural, tactile, or some combination of these. (Tactile comes up most often.)
You might be focusing too much on one of these and not another. For example, (to remedy the B - Bb problem), play your C major scale (you probably don't have to look at it at this point) and turn your attention to the B. Now, play your F major scale and turn attention to the Bb. In the hands, how did it feel to go from A to B vs. A to Bb?
The books recommended are excellent, but I agree with Ed that this seems to be more an issue of focus. Try turning your attention to the notes in question, then pay as much attention every time you drill until it sinks in. This will mean several repetitions at a slow tempo (I know, hang in there) while the fingers and ears and eyes learn.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-08-23 15:45
Ed: I have the J. B. Albert, and I do use it. Thanks, I will try half a page for a few days, then go the other half. Makes sense.
Normancult: I'll look that up, but I'm up to my armpits in books already ;.)
kdk: See my comment to Ed re the Albert book. I also got some good advice from an email from one of the BB members about the aural/ear aspect. As a youth, I learned guitar and mandolin (bluegrass style) by ear, but I really had not tried it much with the clarinet...duh.
Paul: The reason I practice C scale is more for obtaining faster fingering, I guess, than to learn the scale. I want to improve my speed on that scale (as well as others later). I will put more time in on the harder scales, and less on the easier from now on though.
Bob: Makes much sense. Again, it alludes to the ear, so that could very well be the key to making scales come easier. When I first tried arps, they really seemed difficult, but now they are beginning to come easier.
grenadilla428: For me, a combination will likely work. Thanks.
CarlT
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