At least they do, early and often here in the Well Tempered studio. Both by students and by staff. And it is a good thing.
Here, Daphne is descending from a G sharp melodic minor. Note she is keeping her head up and her back straight. Though her front claws are curved a bit inward, we are giving her some extra snaps because she worked long and hard to correct her flat finger technique.. The arch in the left hind leg is dead on, however and will surely earn her extra crickets during the award ceremony.
Even the human students perform scales, and we start preparing from day one with 5 finger patterns. Once they learn the 5 finger patterns for the first 5 scales in the circle of fifths, or what we here at the WT Yeshiva refer to as the Pentateuch, we move to one octave and then two. I know there is some controversy in pedagogical circles about starting scales too early and at the risk of a shunning by my brethren I will list my reasons for incorporating scales at each lesson.
1. It's a nice neutral way to begin a lesson. It's predictable-- kids like that. I like that. They know they will always start with scales. I tell them I expect them to work on them at home, but I know that many don't. But at least they will with me-- once a week, for about 35 weeks a year... I would like to think that if they learn nothing else, they know how to play a two octave scale with each hand for at least C, G, D, A and E major. They've trained their little thumb mice to go through the four finger tunnel. They know that finger 3 is the boss.
2. They learn how a major scale is supposed to sound. They might not remember whole step, whole step, half step, whole, whole half... but their ears learn very quickly when they've made a mistake.
3. It's a nice way to teach dynamics- and how to shape a phrase. We work on getting the scale to "go someplace" and to get there musically. Yes, even scales should be musical.
4. Its a great way to honor each note. Each one is important. Each finger is important. Both individually and as a team.
5. It's a good way to practice different rhythms: Play them in whole notes, half notes, triplets, sixteenths. Let Mr. Metronome join in the fun. Its a nice way to introduce him.
6. It's a proud feeling when the student realizes that he understands the key signature of a new piece from the scale he already knows how to play! It opens the dialogue for a theoretical analysis of the piece.
7. It's fun to play Ultimate scales! Start from the bottom of the keyboard and go all the way up!
Then go all the way down. Wheee!
To those nay sayers who say that the child's hand is not ready play scales, I say, blah, blah, blah.
If Daphne can master them....
Here, Daphne is descending from a G sharp melodic minor. Note she is keeping her head up and her back straight. Though her front claws are curved a bit inward, we are giving her some extra snaps because she worked long and hard to correct her flat finger technique.. The arch in the left hind leg is dead on, however and will surely earn her extra crickets during the award ceremony.
Even the human students perform scales, and we start preparing from day one with 5 finger patterns. Once they learn the 5 finger patterns for the first 5 scales in the circle of fifths, or what we here at the WT Yeshiva refer to as the Pentateuch, we move to one octave and then two. I know there is some controversy in pedagogical circles about starting scales too early and at the risk of a shunning by my brethren I will list my reasons for incorporating scales at each lesson.
1. It's a nice neutral way to begin a lesson. It's predictable-- kids like that. I like that. They know they will always start with scales. I tell them I expect them to work on them at home, but I know that many don't. But at least they will with me-- once a week, for about 35 weeks a year... I would like to think that if they learn nothing else, they know how to play a two octave scale with each hand for at least C, G, D, A and E major. They've trained their little thumb mice to go through the four finger tunnel. They know that finger 3 is the boss.
2. They learn how a major scale is supposed to sound. They might not remember whole step, whole step, half step, whole, whole half... but their ears learn very quickly when they've made a mistake.
3. It's a nice way to teach dynamics- and how to shape a phrase. We work on getting the scale to "go someplace" and to get there musically. Yes, even scales should be musical.
4. Its a great way to honor each note. Each one is important. Each finger is important. Both individually and as a team.
5. It's a good way to practice different rhythms: Play them in whole notes, half notes, triplets, sixteenths. Let Mr. Metronome join in the fun. Its a nice way to introduce him.
6. It's a proud feeling when the student realizes that he understands the key signature of a new piece from the scale he already knows how to play! It opens the dialogue for a theoretical analysis of the piece.
7. It's fun to play Ultimate scales! Start from the bottom of the keyboard and go all the way up!
Then go all the way down. Wheee!
To those nay sayers who say that the child's hand is not ready play scales, I say, blah, blah, blah.
If Daphne can master them....
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