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Help with scales
In particular learning a new one..
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (3 votes) 
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Katie L
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November 5, 2022 - 5:27 am
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I play d major scale everyday over and over and over again which I think has improved my intonation. But I find that when I begin a new piece and it’s in a different key and I have to learn a new scale my d major scale goes to pot. 

Is it a case of just practicing both scales or should I just concentrate on one ? 

Thanks for any suggestions ? 

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AndrewH
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November 5, 2022 - 5:48 am
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How are you practicing the scales?

The key is to learn the sounds of the intervals between notes, rather than just where the fingers go. Each major scale contains exactly the same sequence of intervals. If you place your finger slightly wrong, you should be able to correct it by ear.

Try practicing scales with a drone on the root of the scale.

Another thing I think you could try is singing the scale before you start playing it.

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ELCBK
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November 5, 2022 - 6:51 am
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@Katie L -

Maybe try a different approach?

It's not that you have to learn different Major scales. 

You have to learn the interval pattern - there is ONLY ONE pattern for ALL major scales. 

W • W • H • W • W • W • H 

You can try a listening exercise - just set this to loop & listen.  Don't watch it - just make this an 'earworm' for a while. 🤣 Soon you'll be singing what note comes next in your head before you know it! 

 

 

This can help you to hear how ALL the Major Scales SOUND THE SAME - even though each scale has different notes.  Each finger has to only move a half step (semi tone) or a whole for this pattern - all the way up each string or from one string to the next - only the 1st note matters... if you know the pattern. 

https://logos.textgiraffe.com/logos/logo-name/Emily-designstyle-colors-m.png

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ELCBK
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November 5, 2022 - 6:56 am
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Oops! 

Sorry, @AndrewH - you snuck in a reply while I was typing too slowly. 🤣

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Katie L
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November 5, 2022 - 7:31 am
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Thank you both that is really helpful.  When you say the intervals is that  the same as the fingers patterns. It’s not is it ? I feel like I should really know this. My theory is so poor. Thanks both I really appreciate !

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ELCBK
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November 5, 2022 - 9:09 am
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https://i.pinimg.com/736x/cc/54/67/cc54678bd83dfdacc7af95128f357017.jpg

@Katie L -

Yes & No. 😊

Actually, I was trying to get you away from thinking 'Finger Pattern' for a bit - just because there are specific things you have to remember for them. 

And hoping to get you to think in terms of 'Scale Pattern' - "how far away is the next note?"  Besides playing 4-finger scales, where you jump from one string to the next, you also want to be able to use only ONE finger - on ONE string to play a scale up as far as you can reach on the fingerboard.  

I was only suggesting an exercise to start training your ears - believe it or not, just listening will help you recognize the Major Scale Pattern.

If you allow your ears to help you, you'll be able to start feeling if the next note you are about to play needs to be close (half step/semi tone) or further away (whole step/tone) - you'll know if you need to correct a little if it doesn't sound like the pattern you just listened to a hundred times.  Just kidding... you only have to listen to those Major scales 75 times. 🤣

Finger patterns will help you, but you'll go even farther if you also learn to hear the difference in intervals - the most important being the difference between a half step/semi tone and a whole step/tone. 

 

Prof William Fitzpatrick has a series of 5 videos where he talks about Intervals/Scale Patterns AND Finger Patterns - also more videos on using the fingerboard. 

How To Achieve Perfect Intonation - Playlist

- Emily

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Katie L
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November 5, 2022 - 9:47 am
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Ok that’s great. I’m on it.

Thanks Emily ,

Katie 

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Katie L
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November 6, 2022 - 12:34 pm
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I’m really trying with hearing the intervals and I think I can tell the difference between a half step and a whole step. I think (and I know this is my weirdness) what I find difficult is concentrating on the actual interval and not the note. I can hear that a half step is always in the same place on every scale.

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SharonC
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November 6, 2022 - 3:06 pm
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@Katie L  I think of the beginning of songs for intervals e.g., Amazing Grace is a perfect 4th – here’s a link to a site that lists some:

https://www.musicnotes.com/now.....asy-songs/

Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.

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Katie L
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November 6, 2022 - 4:00 pm
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Thanks Sharon that’s useful. 

How would you practice an interval, playing over and over ?

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SharonC
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November 6, 2022 - 5:46 pm
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@Katie L  Yes.  and over and over (and over. . . .LOL)

To practice, I’ve practice them in small groups—like maybe I’d spend a few minutes during a practice on minor 3rd & minor 7th.   I’d practice them starting on different strings, different places.

Also, listening to something like these videos to see if I’ve got it.  Some videos on interval ear training:

1 thru perfect 4th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....GAxFVCGcZ4

 

tritone, perfect 5th, minor major 6th:

 

tritone, minor & major 7th & octave:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....0Jjmv_PMBw

 

Same person goes through the intervals using tunes like I mentioned before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....GOrRIdIKgs

Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.

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ELCBK
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November 6, 2022 - 8:45 pm
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@Katie L - 

Check out Posts 7 & 8 in the Intervals Thread

I like Violinna's video for playing more in tune (Post 7) & Jim Dunleavy talks about a great app he uses (Post 8) - the videos Sharon shared are there, too. 

 

So, are you able to sing, or hear-in-your-head, the C Major Scale without actually hearing it played?

For individual intervals - I started by listening to the interval played, then I replay it in my head, or hum, then play it on the strings - so I hear the same.

Just don't beat yourself up over any of this - it isn't learned overnight, but great to start! 

I took some piano lessons when I was a child - wish my teacher had taught me to think in terms of distance (intervals) instead of just notes & having me blindly play scales... I'm a little slow sometimes, when things are just implied. (lol) 

Keep it enjoyable! 

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c8/14/f4/c814f440b5d3d327e68badcad53d8b54.jpg

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Katie L
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November 8, 2022 - 12:57 pm
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Hmm well no I can’t hear the c major scale in my head but I tell you what I can do … play g on the d string third finger hum as I play it ( get it in tune) stop playing with my bow and carry on humming …. It’s still a g . Not quite in tune but I was pretty happy with that ! I think if I keep practicing I’ll get better at it !

I’m getting married on Saturday so may have to lay off the violin a bit but I’ll be back on it .. I’ll still practice everyday . Maybe not my actual wedding day though!!

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stringy
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November 8, 2022 - 1:51 pm
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Here comes the bride, here comes the bride, yee ha, congrats hope you have a great day, dont get too drunk afterwarrds, and manage to get away somewhere for a break. And if you do dont take your fiddle and drive your partner mad:)

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stringy
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November 8, 2022 - 2:00 pm
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May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

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Katie L
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November 8, 2022 - 2:32 pm
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Ahhh thank you Stringy !! It’s not a huge over the top expensive lavish thing but it’s going to be great. Yes we are off to Malta on Monday ! I’ll post some photos in break room …. Maybe ha ha 

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stringy
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November 8, 2022 - 2:43 pm
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make sure you post the photos, Malta sounds great i have wanted to go there myself for quite a while, it looks beautiful. You dont have to have a massive expensive wedding, thats not important. I am truly pleased for you, dont get too nervous;)

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Mouse
November 8, 2022 - 2:50 pm
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Katie M said

I’m getting married on Saturday so may have to lay off the violin a bit but I’ll be back on it .. I’ll still practice everyday . Maybe not my actual wedding day though!

Congratulations, @Katie L! I hope you have a wonderful day and a happy many many many years!
🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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RDP
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stringy said
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

  

+1

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SharonC
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@Katie L  What about working on those intervals. . .  . just kidding smile.  Congratulations to you & your new husband-soon-to-be!  Enjoy your wedding and your time in Malta!

Wedding1.JPG

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