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SCALE STUDIES LINK

Table of Contents

Introduction

Suzuki Book I Level

A Major – One Octave (Twinkle)
A Major – One Octave - Expanding the Bow (O Come, Little Children)
D Major – One Octave (Perpetual Motion)
G Major – Two Octaves (Etude)

 

Suzuki Book II Level

D Minor – One Octave (Two Grenadiers)
B-Flat Major – Two Octaves ("Gavotte" from Mignon)
A Minor – Two Octaves (Gavotte by Lully)

 

Suzuki Book III Level

D and C Major Two Octave Scales in Third Position

 

Three Octave Scale Study – Suzuki Book IV

 

Four Octave Scale Study

Studying scales from the very beginning guarantees that they will become an integral part of technical development. Not only do scales promote the continuing development of technique, they also help to place the student in the state of mind most conducive to practicing productively. There is documentation that a metronome setting of 60 is the most efficient learning tempo because it corresponds to our natural biorhythms. Proportions of 60 (90, 120 etc) are also ideal practice tempos. As shown below, scales are practiced with martelé, detaché and legato strokes, with various bowings, and with a multitude of rhythms. Challenging bowings or rhythm patterns in the repertoire can be mastered by incorporating them into scale practice.

 

SEQUENCE OF SCALES FROM
THE BEGINNING THRU FOUR OCTAVES

Suzuki Book I Level

Video
Clip Title:

One Octave A Major Scale

Description:
This format for the scale is introduced at
O' Come Little Children
Channel:
226
Duration:
3'07"

 

Video
Clip Title:

Two Octave G Major Scale

Description:

This format for the two octave scale is introduced at Etude

Channel:

227

Duration:
5'43"

 

Suzuki Book II Level

 

Suzuki Book III Level

THREE OCTAVE SCALE STUDY

Suzuki Book IV Level

Practice the 3 octave scale in the following ways:

Video
Clip Title:

The Journey Through the Three Octave G Major Scale: Martelé

Description:

Playing a G Major Three Octave Scale with 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 Martelés per bow

Channel:

228

Duration:
3'59"
Video
Clip Title:

The Journey Through the Three Octave G Major Scale: Slurs

Description:

Playing a G Major Three Octave Scale with 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 notes slurred per bow

Channel:
229
Duration:
2'47"

 

Video
Clip Title:

The Journey Through the Three Octave G Major Scale: Rhythms

Description:

Practicing rhythmic patterns with the G Major Three Octave Scale

Channel:

230

Duration:
1'20"

 

Two Note Patterns

__ . __ .

. __ . __

Four Note Patterns

__ . . .

. __ . .

. . __ .

. . . __

Using patterns rather than specific rhythms teaches the general relationship of the notes without being caught up in the precise rhythm. When a precise rhythm is needed, it is specified. This approach expands our usual set of practice rhythm (dotted eighth and sixteenth note combinations) to all the variations of dotting and double dotting rhythms.

Video
Clip Title:

The Journey Through the Three Octave G Major Scale: Detaché

Description:

Using a Detaché stroke and with the metronome set to 60, playing 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 notes per click in the upper half of the bow

Channel:

231

Duration:
1'47"

 

Video
Clip Title:

Three Octave G Major Arpeggios

Description:
Practicing arpeggios with an awareness of bow division, shifting, intonation, and relaxed physical motions
Channel:

232

Duration:
4'02"

 

 

Listen for and be aware of:

Even bow distribution

Relaxed bow position

Proper use of forearm and upper arm

Relaxation of each finger after it has played

Rotation of left elbow from lower to higher strings

Slow, well-timed shifts

 

SCALES IN DOUBLE STOPS

THIRDS, SIXTHS, OCTAVES, FINGERED OCTAVES and TENTHS

Beginning Scales in Double Stops

Scales in double stops can begin when the student has completed the Melodious Double Stops Book 1 by Josephine Trott.

In double stop practice focus on achieving: 

With fingered octaves and tenths there is an extension involved. Place the top finger first (3 or 4), then extend back to the bottom finger back. This reduces tension and keeps the hand position balanced by keeping the wrist in.

Bowing Routine for Double Stops

FOUR OCTAVE SCALE STUDY

At the point when the three octave scales become routine, the student begins four octave scales and arpeggios. The Four Octave Scale Book by Elizabeth Gillels is recommended although the book is currently out of print.

Four Octave Scales are practiced using the same principles as the three octave scales but have their own bowing combinations that fit. 

G Major Four Octave Scale

G Minor Four Octave Scale

A Major Four Octave Scale

A Minor Four Octave Scale

B-Flat Major Four Octave Scale

B Major Four Octave Scale

B Minor Four Octave Scale

Four Octave G Major Scale Routine

Four Octave Arpeggios

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