The scale of A minor in its harmonic version is presented as a #practicedrill or warm up where keyboard & #piano players can #play-a-long & accompany Show More...
The scale of A minor in its harmonic version is presented as a #practicedrill or warm up where keyboard & #piano players can #play-a-long & accompany the available #backingtrack. Improver level scales involve 2 octave playing. The backing tracks are available both on the PlentyMusic website and our YouTube channel. Access them on a mobile phone to improve your music practice routines. The accompaniment tracks have a range of tempo from 60 to 144 beats per minute (bpm) Improve music practice and make progress with PlentyMusic pdf #sheetmusic & mp3 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 two octaves Left hand two octaves Right and left hands together two octaves similar motion Right and left hands together one octave contrary motion Do keep to the specified fingering In a sitting position the level of the keyboard should be 72.5cms above floor level At the improver level the scales should be played evenly & smoothly (legato). Playing scales does involve repetition but they need to be played with engagement and concentration. There are always aspects of ones playing that can be improved. Understand that there will be additional challenges from PlentyMusic as to how scales can be played.. 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 a challenge as well as being interesting. 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. When playing along to the backing tracks do have an awareness of the beat, pulse and tempo. 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. There are other challenges coming soon as your playing progresses and improves. When playing scales as in most other #musicperformance contexts fingers need to be close to the keys The weight of the arm & hand should be imagined to be being released or even flow out through the finger tips. The challenge in playing music is that it involves much repetition. The gifted musician is one able to internalise what has been learnt and progress quickly to more difficult challenges. Why practice scales? Scale practice does help in improving technique and spatial awareness of the keyboard layout. Security in playing scales means that the fingers get used to being 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. If you play a keyboard standing up ensure that you at a comfortable level with the weight of the hands going downwards. Images of keyboard players playing with their hands above shoulder height is not great for encouraging good technique. Playing scales encourages the development of a secure and controlled technique in playing. Playing scales particularly when playing in contrary motion encourages independence of the hands. Playing scales is helpful in managing stretches and stresses in keyboard playing. pdf sheet music scores and mp3 accompaniments can be downloaded from the PlentyMusic website. Improve music practice routines using PlentyMusic accompaniments and music scores. Beginner, improver, intermediate and advanced level sheet music scores are available for many different musical instrument combinations. Music scores are written and presented in staff notation. Free scores are also available. Different performing styles are also represented on the PlentyMusic website from the very earliest to classical and more recent popular times. Close
