1 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

two (or four) octaves up and back down. Once you are confident of the fingering for each hand, play both hands together. Each hand will be playing with different fingers and crossing over at different times.

Play them Blind:

Once you have learned the fingering of a scale, play it with your eyes closed. Better yet, put on a blindfold (a sleep mask works well). This may sound strange, but not seeing will force your attention on the keys you are playing. It will also improve your ear.

Visualize the keyboard as you play each note. Listen to how each note sounds. Do not peek when you get lost. Try to find your place by sound. If you are really lost, feel the keys. You should be able to find your place by the arrangement of the black keys.

Playing blind takes concentration. It will help focus your attention and block outside distractions. You can begin as soon as you know the fingering for each hand, even if you are not yet ready to play both hands together. Concentrate on the notes and which fingers are playing them. Play slowly and evenly.

Use a Metronome:

Piano scales are an excellent way to improve your timing. Everyone has an internal clock. Most people feel as if they are playing in time, until they turn on a metronome. A metronome is a device that taps a steady rhythm and can be purchased at any music store.

Set your metronome to a slow tempo in 4/4 timing. You can play scales as eighth notes or sixteenth notes. If you play eighth notes, count 1 +, 2 +, 3 +, 4 +, with the metronome beating on each number (say "and" for each "+"). Repeat the count as you play up two (or four) octaves and back down. For example, as you count, "1 +, 2 +, 3 +, 4 +" you will play eight notes, but the metronome will beat 4 times, only on the numbers.

When you are comfortable with eighth notes, try playing in sixteenth notes. Set your metronome to a slower 4/4 tempo, count 1 e + a, 2 e + a, 3 e + a, 4 e + a (said as long e "ee" and short a "uh"). A count of, "1 e + a, 2 e + a, 3 e + a, 4 e + a" would play 16 notes, but the metronome would still beat 4 times, only on the numbers.

When using a metronome, the goal is to play evenly, not quickly. Count a few measures to internalize the rhythm before you start to play. Begin with a slow tempo. When you are comfortable, speed it up. Be sure to practice with various tempos, slow and fast. This will help build your internal rhythm.

Making Mistakes:

When most people make a mistake, they restart the scale from the beginning. This leads to the ascending portion of the scale being much stronger than the descending part. If your mistake happens when going down the scale, restart the descending section. Also, play "backward" occasionally. Start from the highest note, play down and then up. This is challenging, but it will strengthen your descending scale.

It will take some time to master the Major piano scales. You may not need or want to learn all of the Major, Minor, or Chromatic scales. Instead focus on perfecting the ones you do know. If you don't want to work through the Circle of Fifths, consider which keys you play in the most and start with those scales.

Whatever your approach, keep in mind that 5-10 minutes of scale practice each day will yield more results than playing for an hour once a week. You will develop dexterity, confidence and, if you play with a metronome, you will improve your timing.

Learn more about this author, Susan Quilty.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Piano: Why scales are important?
We want to hear your view. Write now!