How to Practice Scales Without Pulling Your Hair Out

“Do I really have to practice these scales?”

Yes, we know – running through scales may not be the most fun part of practicing.  Most beginner musicians would rather jump right into learning songs and duets.  But the truth is, spending time warming up with technical exercises such as scales will help you in the long run.

First, by learning scales (and the underlying keys and theory), you are learning the essential vocabulary of music.  And how can you read without understanding the language first?

Second, scales are a great technique builder for any musician, not just pianists.  Scales can help woodwind and brass players learn fingering combinations, recognize your instrument’s comfortable range (particularly when moving through octaves with chromatic scales), and help you with improvising.

The good news is that scales don’t have to be boring.  Why not spice things up, while you’re at it?  Try adding in different dynamics, patterns and articulations, for example.

We loved this list of ideas from LaDona’s Music Studio for breaking from the norm – although the list is specific to piano scales, a few of the ideas can be transposed to other instruments as well:

1. Accelerando/Ritardando – both ways. Add dynamics.

2. Accent unusual notes – for example, accent the 2^nd of each group of four 16^th notes.

3. Articulations – all staccato, or different slur/staccato combinations.

4. Chromatics – repeat the 2 white notes a few times, or try separating by a minor or major 3^rd.

5. Clusters – play black-note groups in solid clusters.

6. Cross-rhythms – left hand in eighths for 2 octaves, right hand in triplets for 3 octaves – start one octave apart. Reverse, starting 2 octaves apart.

7. Dynamics – assign each hand a different level of sound.   Also, start left hand forte then diminuendo while right hand starts piano and crescendos. Meet in the middle.