 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-01-15 04:20
I have very little time to memorize all the minor scales up to four sharps and flats. Is there any trick to memorizing them, aside from tons of practice?
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Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-01-15 04:58
If you know the major scales, then to play the natural minors, just think of playing its(relative?) major scale starting on a different note. For example, G natural minor is a Bb major scale starting on G.
Once you have learned the natural minor scales, the melodic minors are not too difficult. On the way up the scale, for the melodic minors, just think of their corresponding(sorry I can't remember the correct term for this relationship)major scales, with a lowered third scale degree. For example, a G melodic minor scale going up is the same as a G major scale with a Bb instead of a B natural. On the way down, just play the natural minor.
I don't know of any special tricks for learning the harmonic minors, except that once you know the natural minors, all you have to do is raise the seventh scale degree.
However, even with a few tricks, you will still have to practice them.
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Author: Richard Fong
Date: 2002-01-15 06:43
My trick, pratice as slow as possible.
My specail trick, pratice everyday.
My bonus trick, watching magazine while pratice.
Good clarineting, cheers.
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-01-15 14:20
Cindy,
Minor scales are just as important as major scales. You say you don't have time to memorize them, but you should try and make the time. I would recommend learning them along with there relative major scales i.e., C major - A minor, etc. If you concentrate on one key per week you will learn them quickly and before you know it you will be ripping them off! I would recommend using the Baermann III method book. When you are working on one key, do all the exercises for those keys......scales, returning scales, scales in thirds, arpeggios etc. By cutting back to working on one key per week, you should only need to spend about 20 minutes per day on this portion of your practice. Of course more is better. You simply cannot create excellent technique without daily practice of the basics and this is true until the day you no longer can play the clarinet. If you only have a half an hour to practice, you would be well served to spend the entire time working on scales. Just remember that a little bit every day adds up to A LOT!
Happy playing!
Jerry McD.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-01-15 19:15
Richard -
I have great admiration for your Bonus Trick :o
Oh, how I wish I could do two things at once.
Did you have to work many long hours to accomplish that? Or, did it just come naturally?
I have trouble reading a newspaper and drinking coffee at the same time.
I'm working on it (trick one).
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-15 21:14
I remember doing my Licentiate - I had to memorize scales in all keys, both melodic and harmonic minors, too. It was a shocker ... I would devote 30 minutes a pratcise session and sit quietly with the metronome and play them slowly through - without error and then pick up the speed until the required tempo. I would NEVER play all scales in one session, rather pick a group of them. When I got to the examination, I played them all (the ones the inquisitioner asked me) perfectly. He asked me how I practiced my scales - I said something like, with dread and dedication.
The whole point of learning scales is to equip you with the technique to play fast passages in any key, effortlessly. Don't look on them as a session of torture, rather as getting to know tedious, but necessary friends.
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Author: Miles
Date: 2002-01-15 22:34
For me, it is using flash cards. Going over and over each scale with a book is okay at first but you really need to close the book and use flash cards. Mix all the major, nat. minor , har. min and mel. min scales. Also don't write how many sharps or flats on the flash cards.
Hope this helps!
Miles
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Author: Paul F
Date: 2002-01-19 06:31
I have to agree with the notion of daily scales practice, literally until you die.
My pro tutor practiced scales every day. This included the thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, too. Baermann III was his favorite, but he used others, too.
He was a full time member of a major city's orchestra for 25 years, and continued getting "gigs" into his 90s. He practiced every day, knarled knuckes and permanently bend fingers and all.
You know something? He is still very good. And he still practices his scales every day.
That ought to tell you something. It told me something.
Just do it - everyday.
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