Posted by Sir James on April 17, 2003 at 10:41:03:

In Reply to: Scales Range posted by Martin on April 16, 2003 at 00:03:50:

Let me start off by confessing that I do not play scales going sown to low B or up to top C. I use the traditional Moyse scale books slightly modified. I do not use the Gizmo for top C. I always thought that the high C and D in scales sounded shrill and way too difficult to make sound beautiful. I do not start scales on low notes and do not practice them in half steps C major for example, I begin on on C 3, go down to C1 then up to B 4 and back to C 3. Then I proceed in a cycle of fifths going to F major. Here I begin on F2, up to B flat 3, down to C 1 and back to F 2. The reason I do this is very simple.. I go from C to F as I only have to deal with one note different. With Just for fun try playing C major in two octaves starting on C 3 to C 1 and back. You will be amazed at how strong your low notes will be in the scale. The reason for this is you will start with a good strong note and take the qualities of this note to the weaker low notes, whereas if you begin on C 1, which is traditional, you bring the qualities of a difficult and weak note to the rest of your scale. Try then playing your scale allegro con brio, or moderato and tongued.

Sir James