Are Scales Still Boring?

by James H. Anderson 24. November 2009 06:00

No matter how intrinsically rewarding it can be to woodshed scales, sometimes practicing the daily scales feels like a morning before coffee. I find myself wanting to spice up the routine, and my friends in the repertoire development team have provided a solution.

Did you know that SmartMusic exercises include alternate accompaniments? Notice the drop-down menu underneath the PLAY button (I've circled it in red here). When I select an exercise this menu displays "Piano" but check out the other options too; for this particular example, I have chosen a funky background track called "Lava Flow" to accompany my work with the natural minor scale.

SmartMusic exercises include a wide variety of accompaniments to inspire your practice. Try them out today and let us know what you think!

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James Lund

Comments

12/2/2009 7:37:21 PM #

Paul

There was a TV special about a guy who's made millions playing Gershwin.  He said he "does scales" three hours a day.  Herb Ellis also advocated knowning "the scale" but not memorizing scale variations (bebop, etc.).  He said he "plays over chords." I've told a couple of band leaders "when I am playing I am not thinking about the Circle of 5ths; don't have time." (they think you do) But you must know scales simply because you do not have time.  Somebody shows you 1 finger and a thumbs up (G scale). 1 finger and thumbs down (F scale).  Nobody wants to play more than three up or three down.  Singers like A and D (and so do mandolins).  Horns ARE Eb abd Bb ..so you gotta know how to use scales. I suppose you also ought to know the relative position of Root and 3-5 and 7 for chords.  

Paul United States

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