Okay, here's the next practice pattern. This is a running scale fragment. It ascends
5 notes and at the bottom of the descent, skips a 3rd before continuing the pattern on the next scale tone. Note that the example is "broken". There are some huge skips between starting points in the example. Each key in the exercise is written
out in its entirety. As a reminder; when you download and look at the individual pages and patterns on each key signature, there may be some staves (lines) that are out of your playable range. Here's an opportunity for you to practice your transposition skills by playing the exercise up or down an octave as necessary.
Here's another skill you can add to your practice and performance tool box. Once you have gained some fluency with each practice pattern, add different articulation patterns to the exercise. Start by slurring in groups of 4 notes then move to a slur 2 notes, tongue 2 notes articulation pattern. Then; reverse that one and tongue 2 notes then slur 2 notes. Once I gain the permission of a friend, I'll post a page of articulation patterns you can incorporate into your practice regimen.
As a reminder; pay very close attention to the key signatures and accidentals in
these scale exercises and practice slowly!
I hope you're not getting bored. There's plenty more to come in the weeks and
months ahead!!
Scale pattern #2:
Major - Treble Clef |
Bass Clef
Dominant - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
Natural Minor - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
Harmonic Minor - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
Dorian - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
The five sets of scales above are fairly easy though I'll admit the harmonic minor pages may throw some people a bit. The next scales though will require a bit of thought due to the alterations to or aural perception of the scale forms themselves. In particular, the Melodic Minor scales are quite devilish due to the rules of ascending and descending alterations. Be prepared to practice this one much more slowly than others.
First up is the lydian mode. This is a major type scale built on the 4th note of the major scale. Think of it this way; C lydian is the 4th mode of G major. In other words, the basic scale is from C to C in G major - but you'll play F sharp instead of F natural due to the key signature. It'll make sense once you see it. The next scale form is lydian dominant. Again, it's based on the 4th degree of the major scale but also features the lowered 7th of the dominant scale. I haven't mentioned this before but the dominant scale or mode is named mixolydian and the two terms are interchangeable.
Lydian - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
Lydian Dominant - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
Okay; this is the dastardly scale pattern….. melodic minor. I have to be honest with you, the reader. I like to think I'm pretty good with my scales and knowledge of music theory but editing this version of the scale pattern sprained my brain. So far in my practice, I'm only up to a quarter note @ 40 beats per minute. Perfect practice is my goal and should be yours as well!!
Melodic Minor - Treble Clef | Bass Clef
