Saxophone Forum


by JAYSAX23
(12 posts)
19 years ago

Scales

I am really having trouble trying to play my last 4 major scales I only know my first 8. Is this good or bad? What should I do?

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  1. by definition
    (963 posts)

    19 years ago

    Re: Scales

    Practice, practice, practice!! That is the only way to learn them. Also, make sure you know your circle of 5ths, that will help tremendously. Also one last thing you should do is make sure you arent thinking enharmonically. If the scale is say, Ab major, dont try and play it in sharps, think of it in in flats (try that one in sharps actually, you'll only have 9 sharps!!)

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    1. by JAYSAX23
      (12 posts)

      19 years ago

      Re: Scales

      THANKX ALOT DEF FOR THE TIPS I WILL BE USING THEM JAYSAX23

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      1. by KSsaxophone
        (57 posts)

        19 years ago

        Re: Scales

        What I do to practice the major scales is start on one (say Bb concert) and play it ascending, and when I get to the top, switch to the next scale one half step up (B concert) and come down. Then when I get to the the bottom, I play the next scale one half step up (Ab concert), then go back up... you get the idea. Hope that helps

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    2. by jusjop
      (5 posts)

      19 years ago

      Re: Scales

      use a metronome! start slow and once perfected speed up.

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      1. by jaggtagg7
        (40 posts)

        19 years ago

        Re: Scales

        circle of 4th/5ths. my director calls it the cirlce of 4ths. first few times i had not clue what this "new" circle was. what i do/did was to play the scales from memory all mixed in to memorize them, in a random order. but then still make sure to know the circle of 4ths/5ths.

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        1. by YanagisawA-901
          (312 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Scales

          dont "practice" by reading off of a paper.. do it if u dont know the scale.. but then go away from the paper, look at a wall and close ur eyes and play the scale 10x from memory full range of your horn.. if u screw up.. back to the paper 10x perfect.. isolote and repeat.. but i cant stress enuf dont read off of a paper.. u get nothing from that..

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          1. by definition
            (963 posts)

            19 years ago

            Re: Scales

            Another good thing for you to pick up while working on scales and what not is the Rubank book, Selected Studies for Saxophone.

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