Scales are boring. It’s a widely-known “fact” ... Except it’s not true. Or at most: it’s only true if you believe it’s true.
And lately I’ve been practicing like I believe it’s true. I’ve been in a rut. Every day, the same way of doing my scales, arpeggios, and double stops. Certainly not a complete waste of time, but … Yawn.
So for the month of January 2023, I’m breaking free. I’m doing my scales a different way each day. Thirty-one days, and thirty-one completely different variations on practicing scales.
Maybe I’ll unlock a whole new world of technique. Maybe I’ll open up new expressive frontiers in my playing. Maybe I’ll even have fun practicing scales this month! There’s only one way to find out…
So I’ve mapped out a plan for the month. It begins by tweaking the fundamental aspects of scales (breaking apart, reorganizing), then it gradually gets into instrumental technique, and from there it evolves into musical and artistic approaches to scales.
Wanna join me?
The whole month of scales will work equally well on violin and viola. They should also work on cello (for the most part), and probably double bass. The scales will be aimed at those who have command of all the positions, along with all of the basic bow techniques. But if you’re not there yet, you’ll still find a lot of days in this month that will work for you, or that you can adapt to your level.
Wind, brass, and keyboard players: I’d be interested to hear from you about which ones translate into something meaningful on your instrument.
Let’s get started!
Day 1: The Beginning
Today, I’m starting things off with my usual: a 3-octave scale plus arpeggios. (I do the Galamian acceleration pattern, and also include double stops, too. But stick to whatever your usual is … if you have a usual. ;) ) I won’t come back to this pattern until the end of this project. So I’m treating this like a fond (or not-so-fond) farewell. Hopefully, when we reunite after a month, this old familiar version of scales will feel new again!
Do whatever key you’d normally do, and keep your usual fingerings, bowings, rhythms, turns, etc. This is your TTFN to the usual.
tomorrow:
I’m a violinist and private teacher in the Chicago area, and in a previous musical life I was in a professional string quartet. Teaching violin and chamber music are dear to my heart. Send me a note or leave a comment on a post — I’d love to hear from you.
If you’ve tried today’s scales, I’d love to know what your experience was like! Just post a comment below.