The scale of C is presented as a #practicedrill or warm up where keyboard players & #piano players can #play-a-long & accompany the #backingtracks. The backing tracks are available both on the PlentyMusic website and YouTube. The accompaniment tracks have a range of tempo from 60 to 144 beats per minute (bpm) Improve music practice with PlentyMusic pdf #sheetmusic & accompaniment downloads. Each scale is to be played 3 times with a one bar gap between each scale. A wood block sound provides a one bar preparation for the playing of each scale exercise. The playing sequence is as follows: Right hand one octave Left hand one octave Right and left hands together one octave similar motion Right and left hands together one octave contrary motion Do keep to the specified fingering At the beginner level the scales should be played evenly & smoothly (legato) Thumb under & third finger over preparation is an aspect of keyboard technique that needs to taken on board and will be clarified in a video post later in the year. Please feedback to PlentyMusic on any additional warm ups or practice drills required or changes that need to be made to those currently in place. Look out for the PlentyMusic videos later in the year with some practical tips on the playing of scales and the piano/ keyboard in general. Always make music practice interesting and challenging When playing scales aim to keep a lightness in the hands particularly when they are played at fast tempi. Use a mobile phone, tablet or desktop to provide the backing tracks needed to enjoy scale practice as an ensemble activity. Whilst there are many ways in which musical notes can be articulated in the early stages of playing scales a legato touch should be and remain the focus. When playing scales & in most other practical musical performance contexts fingers need to be close to the keys The weight of the arm & hand should be imagined to be at the finger tips. Aways imagine when playing a keyboard instrument the the weight of the arm, hand & fingers are released as such through the finger tips Why do we practice scales? Scale practice does help in improving technique and developing an awareness of the range of an instrument Security in playing scales means that the correct finger is in the right place Playing scales is good preparation for playing more difficult pieces Scales played on a piano or keyboard require that the fingers are all equal in strength and in this respect they are useful although there are other exercises helpful particularly thirds that are helpful it equalising finger strength from the keyboard playing point of view. The level of the keyboard should be 72.5cms above floor level If you play a keyboard standing up ensure that you at a comfortable level with the weight of the hands going downwards Playing scales does encourage the development of secure technique Playing scales does encourage the development of a controlled technique control in ones playing Playing scales is helpful in managing stretches and stresses in keyboard playing
