Some people like scales, but they make me sad

July 28, 2009 at 4:54 AM

I'm reading Natasha's blog about loving scale and I'm so ashame of myself. I went to lesson last week, really stumbling on my C major scale. My fourth finger is weak especially on the last extension (I start with first finger, and my last two notes are played with 4th finger and then 4th extension). My shift on the E string on the really high position (I have no idea how high, 8th?) is really bad. It takes me forever to play the major, harmonic and melodic minor right. And then the arpreggios, broken thirds, chromatic scales, oh no, double stop 6ths.

I'm only a beginner, I wonder if this is overwhelming for me? It's alot easier if I do all this in 2 octaves. But 3 octave is really difficult. I'm feeling alot more comfortable with the scales that doesn't go that high on 3 octaves, e.g. G major, Bb, A etc...C is really making me sad.

I do realize the importance of scales, especially in orchestra, where loads of fast runs are scales of some sort, I just need to figure out how to get better at it!

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 28, 2009 at 5:07 AM

Greetings,

you -should- do both two and three octave scales. A simple two ocatve scale (I like to strat on 2nd finger for these. Firts finger is good though- it gets the hand in shape in what Dounis called the ocatve frame.) is a greta way to warm up without worrying aout shifting. A complete scale in itself has an awful lot of elements to just play straight out.

You can strat on B flat and go all the way up to 8th or 9th poisiotn. Then don`t practice the whole scale. Practice the shifts using te method recommeded by Brian Hong in his blog on shifting. Watch out for the bowing. You may be pressing too hard and messing up the intonation with the bow rather than te left hand. When you have the shift, practice the top octaveonly. Don`t just start from the low note. tart from the top and go down and then back up as well. After you have worked on this think aout putting your three octave scale together. And remeber, scales do not have to be fas.

Cheers,

Buri

From PM Rolf
Posted on July 28, 2009 at 5:42 AM

Buri, Thanks! I'll try to look up what Brian Hong said. I really need to try concentrating on the higher octaves, whenever I mess up, I will start from the beginning note again, that's why it takes me forever!!

I forgot to mention, the downshift problem only occurs when i'm slurring 3 or more, I can't deal with the high position shifts while slurring...

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 28, 2009 at 7:55 AM

Greetings,

mmmm... wasting practice time by not deciding exactly where the problem is and working on tht until it is solved. Sound familiar?;)

The problem with downshifting is what Szigeti called one of `contraction.` In other words the higher `new` finger whihc is going to replace the old ower finger on alower note actually starts moving slightly towards the lower finger while that one is being played. It greatly increases efficiency.

Cheers,

Buri

From Catie Rinderknecht
Posted on July 29, 2009 at 3:28 AM

If shifting going up is troublesome, perhaps try starting on a different finger so it comes out differently? Take the time to make sure your hand and arm are really around once you get in 5th position. By getting your hand around, that will probably help remedy most shifting inaccuracies.

Shifting downward always is more troublesome for me. The best advice I can give you is from my, as of yesterday, former teacher, "always shift on the finger you last used."

If you would like to discuss specifics of fingerings and other scale difficulties, feel free to email me.

Best of luck!

P.S. When you're in the highest position, you're extending out of 9th position. Knowing where you are and what position you are in helps also!

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