Piano Guidance
Photo by cottonbro studio Pexels Logo Photo: cottonbro studio

Should you practice scales?

First and foremost, repetitive exercises will help you develop muscle memory, and a great muscle memory makes for a great musician. In addition, practicing scales and arpeggios is important for the following reasons: Provides a practical introduction to music theory. Helps you begin to recognise common patterns in ...

liverpoolacademyofmusic.com.au - Is Practicing Scales and Arpeggios Important?
What does H mean in Guitar Tabs?
What does H mean in Guitar Tabs?

hammer-on What does h mean in Guitar TAB. 'h' in Guitar TAB is short for 'hammer-on'. This is when you play a note and hammer-on to a higher note....

Read More »
What should I eat before a piano test?
What should I eat before a piano test?

Re: What to eat before a performance At the concert, have some bananas or gatorade (my personal favorite), so you don't feel hungry. The sugar will...

Read More »

Yes, it certainly is!

While it may not be your favourite thing to do, practicing scales and arpeggios is an important technical exercise, particularly during the first couple of years of playing.

Trust me – you’ll thank yourself later for sticking with it.

Why Practicing Scales and Arpeggios is Important

Before we get started, let’s clarify the difference between scales and arpeggios.

A scale is a series of notes within a single octave that adhere to a set pattern. The pattern can consist of whole, half, and even third steps. An arpeggio is the notes of a chord played in a sequence, instead of all together. These kinds of technical exercises will benefit your overall ability to play music in numerous ways. First and foremost, repetitive exercises will help you develop muscle memory, and a great muscle memory makes for a great musician.

In addition, practicing scales and arpeggios is important for the following reasons:

Provides a practical introduction to music theory

Helps you begin to recognise common patterns in music

Assists in your understanding of composition

Not only will these benefits make music easier to memorise, they will also give you a fantastic technical foundation so that you can write your own music.

Tips for Practicing Scales and Arpeggios

Regardless of which instrument you play, these few tips will help you practice scales and arpeggios more effectively.

Practice All Pitches

Try practicing your scales beginning from all pitches. Sure, you may never need to play those particular notes, but the ability to move through pitches is beneficial to any musician. Plus, being super methodical can help give your practice session a clear direction, so you’re less likely to give up half way through or become distracted.

Practice a Variety of Scales

Add interest to your practice session by having a go at other scales, not just standard major and natural minor. Blues scales, for example, are great fun to mess around with once you know them well.

Don’t Overdo It

Yes, technical exercises are important, but don’t over do it. Only spend about 10 – 20 percent of your practice time on them, and then move on to the more exciting stuff.

Learn a Musical Instrument

There is so much more to playing a musical instrument than practicing your scales. It’s a fun, challenging, and rewarding journey that we believe each and every person can benefit from. If you’re ready to uncover your inner musical genius, give us a call on 02 9602 9774, or fill out the contact form on this page.

What can't you name your baby in Australia?
What can't you name your baby in Australia?

In Australia, the Registrar can refuse to register a birth name in circumstances including any of the following: It is obscene or offensive. ......

Read More »
How do I test my tapping speed?
How do I test my tapping speed?

Tapping Speed task instructions Rest your device on a flat surface. Start the task. Place two fingers of the same hand over the two buttons that...

Read More »

Can you learn more than one instrument on Yousician?

What's included in my Family plan? Unlimited access to all 5 instruments (guitar, piano, ukulele, bass and singing) and content for yourself and up to 3 other family members. Each family member has their own Yousician account and can track their progress individually.

Unlimited access to all 5 instruments (guitar, piano, ukulele, bass and singing) and content for yourself and up to 3 other family members. Each family member has theirand can. Family members can save songs as favorites and create their own song collections for their accounts.

Can I invite anyone to join my Family plan?

As the Family plan’s account manager, you can invite up to 3 family members that you live with to join your band. Each member needs to have their own free Yousician account. It is not possible to add a member if they have a Premium subscription on their account.

Did Beethoven use rondo?
Did Beethoven use rondo?

The rondo was fairly ubiquitous throughout the Classical era (toward the end of the 18th and early years of the 19th century). Composers like...

Read More »
Is a 2 2 3 work schedule good?
Is a 2 2 3 work schedule good?

The benefits of a 2-2-3 work schedule are: Employees only need to work 180 days a year. They do not have to work more than three days in a row....

Read More »
Does it hurt to play the drums?
Does it hurt to play the drums?

Drumming should not be painful. One of the main benefits of taking drum lessons is the ability to quickly identify areas of your technique that may...

Read More »
What an introvert should not tell?
What an introvert should not tell?

9 Things Not to Say to an Introvert “You're so quiet.” ... “Be more assertive.” ... “Speak up more.” ... Any words that interrupt us (since we've...

Read More »