Scales For Advanced Violinists Pdf

[Jkobe Peoples]

Iwant to get into scales properly, and I want to know what to practice on a routine, the different scales I should practice, what keys, what kind of bowings, which positions and when to shift, arpeggios, etc...I've practiced scales before of course, but really straight forward scales, like G major/minor (including melodic, dorian, harmonic...), D, E... up to 3 octaves. Nevertheless I've done this "without knowing what I was doing really". I mean, just to improve intonation and get used to the fingerboard, but I'm sure if I follow a book or guide, I would understand better how to practice scales, what to aim for, what to look for, why the shift is here and not there, etc... Also, the bowings I do are kind of random. The first up and down scale would be done with full bows, then I would repeat that but using half bows, or spiccato up bows... all of this kind of "improvised". I think that's not right or wrong, but I want to organize better the scales exercises and follow a guide that's supposed to be better because someone (a violinist I guess) wrote it down and thought about all of this.Thank you Tweet !function(d,s,id)var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id))js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1445120298060-0'); ); Replies (27)

Mike LairdJune 8, 2017, 9:14 AM The classic scale book is Carl Flesch's "Scale System". It has an intro discussion about practicing scales. It has major and minor scales, arpeggios, double stop scales, tenth scales, etc, in all keys. Start with exercise 5 in each key. The first 4 exercises are intended to be done on 1 string - advanced stuff. Fingerings are generally OK, but some are outdated and not useful for real performances.For a different idea, permit me to mention my own exercise book intended for violin improvisers. "Arpeggios, Rhythms, and Scales" has 3 octave major and minor scales in all 12 keys with fingerings intended for performance and ease of memorization. It has numerous other scales, e.g., blues, bebop, Dorian minor, etc. which are commonly used in blues, jazz, and pop music. It also has all the 7th arpeggios with fingerings, and numerous rhythm exercises - for improvisers. You can find out more about it at:

-laird/arpeggios-rhythms-and-scales/paperback/product-11176289.html

marjory langeJune 8, 2017, 9:15 AM Simon Fischer's is rather the encyclopedia of scales. He breaks them into harmonic sections, among a myriad other options. It's a daunting volume at first glance, but taken in small bites, very digestible.

Sung HanJune 8, 2017, 9:25 AM I recommend Scales for Advanced Violinists by Barbara Barber. It is considerably easier than Carl Flesch's book.

Jason BroanderJune 8, 2017, 10:27 AM Simon Fischer's book is great, if I only had one book it would be that one because he discusses how to do each exercise in the book.As for Flesch, I actually think you should start with exercises 1-4 first and only move on to 5 after doing the other four for a while. Better would be to do Fischer's one and two octave stuff first that builds up to being able to succeed at playing three octave stuff well.

Helen SmitJune 8, 2017, 12:25 PM I would not recommend Flesch to someone who is just getting serious about scales. Go with Barbara Barber or Simon Fischer.

Paul DeckJune 8, 2017, 7:38 PM The advantage of Fischer's book is that he breaks it down for you. Not just fingerings.

Yunfan XuJune 8, 2017, 7:47 PM I would say wolfhart. Their 60 etudes is really good for beginner violin

Yunfan XuJune 8, 2017, 7:47 PM I would say wolfhart. Their 60 etudes is really good for beginner violin

Paul DeckJune 9, 2017, 6:59 AM Vole Fart is not a scale book.

Adalberto Valle-RiveraJune 9, 2017, 7:03 AM Barring double stops, the Fischer Scale book is sufficient for beginners to the most advanced level.Flesch double-stop sequences are really nice, though-I have not yet checked out Mr. Fischer's double-stopping material.Even an "advanced" book as Flesch's can be made more accessible by studying it slowly and in small portions you can technically do, even if it starts with 3 octave scales from the outright. 1-4 (or similar material) are SO USEFUL, and should not be neglected. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1445120547957-0'); );

Erin SabriniJune 9, 2017, 8:44 AM Fischer Scale Book. It's all you will need for 75 years.

Tim RipondJune 9, 2017, 12:53 PM Thank you for all the replies.So... what is the main difference between Fischer's and Flesch's?

Jason BroanderEdited: June 9, 2017, 3:02 PM Fischer is accessible to a beginner without much outside explanation, Flesch is not. This is mostly by design, Flesch wasn't writing his book aimed at a general audience, but instead writing to working professionals and advanced students. Fischer, on the other hand, was aiming to write a comprehensive scale book, which by being comprehensive covers both beginner issues and advanced technique. He also provides much more explanatory text than Flesch does in this book. Although, to be fair to Flesch, he wrote a two volume book on playing the violin that really needs to be read to fully understand what's going on in the scale book; Fischer's other books aren't needed to understand his scale book, but if you were to get another book by Fischer The Violin Lesson is probably the greatest book on violin playing ever written, because it summarizes all of the best stuff from all the other major books on violin playing.

Mary Ellen GoreeJune 9, 2017, 8:24 PM I like the Barbara Barber books: Scales for Young Violinists (two-octave scales and arpeggios with basic double stop exercises also), and Scales for Advanced Violinists (three-octave scales and arpeggios with double stop scales). The latter Barber book has less comprehensive and somewhat easier double stop scales than does Flesch, but I honestly prefer the Barber arpeggio fingerings.

Maurice GatewoodJuly 7, 2017, 9:07 AM Do teachers still use the Hrimaly Scale Studies? Those were a mainstay in my early, early, early days along with the Kreutzer Etudes. -M

Raphael KlaymanJuly 7, 2017, 1:05 PM Tim - it's hard to get a sense of your level and what kind of instruction you've had or are getting. You describe yourself modestly as an "advanced beginner" but you speak of having gone through some 3 octave scales - at least in a desultory manner. Of course, HOW we play is so much more important that WHAT we play.Anyway, for anyone interested, there is a book with all the scales in the 1st position in 1 octave worth knowing about by Samuel Flor. I didn't take up all the scales until the 2-octave scales in the Wessley manual, followed by the 3-octave scales in the same book. I later did the Sevic and Galamian scales and eventually evolved my own synthesis.

Paul DeckEdited: July 7, 2017, 1:43 PM I did Hrimaly too. The date would have been about 1975. I think they've become less popular, I'm not sure why. With the popularization of Suzuki, I think a lot of teachers delay "official" scale work until a later development stage, at which students are ready for full-blown scales, at least to two octaves. Then many years later after doing Flesch etc., you buy Fischer's book and you realize that there was probably a more effective and efficient way of learning the same thing. Many people get the same input from their teachers, of course, but as a child I was really not ever taught that there is more to scale practice than speed and intonation.

Marc MarschallJuly 8, 2017, 3:09 AM Agree Paul.

Peter CharlesJuly 8, 2017, 3:20 AM Why does an advanced player need a scale book? A scale is a scale and you just play them in major and minor modes in all the keys. Looking at the notes in a scale book does nothing for your listening abilities and can only damage your eyes. As far as bowing goes, try everything. Same withn speeds.If you REALLY want to train your lug-holes then do one finger scales up to the top of each string ... Once you put s finger down from the one before you have by-passed the ear.

Raphael KlaymanJuly 8, 2017, 4:50 AM My approach to daily technical practice also includes 1, 2, 3 and 4 finger scales up one string - also arpeggios up one string. These precede my practice of more typical 3 (and some 4) octave scales. But no matter what we do, we can by-pass the ear if we're not careful.

Peter CharlesJuly 8, 2017, 4:54 AM Absolutely right!Scales are great because they remind you about the fingerboard. I've heard very good quartet first violinists warming up with scales in the key of the quartet they are about to play. Even if it's simple G major. (Well, forget the simple!)

Marc MarschallJuly 8, 2017, 5:11 AM A scalebook like Flesch is much more than "just" scales. I always warm up with Flesch in the key of the main piece before concert (if there is enough time).

Mary Ellen GoreeJuly 8, 2017, 5:17 AM I'm glad Raphael mentioned the Flor one-octave scale book. It's very useful for beginners.I too did Hrimaly as a child, but as a teacher I can't stand the way it's organized or many of the fingerings. Barbara Barber fills the bill for all but my most advanced students.

Paul DeckEdited: July 8, 2017, 5:58 AM Mary Ellen, at what level (say, which Suzuki book, sorry if that's a crude measure) would you typically introduce "official" scale study with its own separate book? Hrimaly does not leave first position until p. 10 or so, although a Book 1 student might need some help thinking about G-flat major.Flesch is what it is, and for what it is, it's fine. But honestly I would be surprised if anyone thought Flesch was a good way to *introduce* a young student to scales in thirds, for example. It's just too overwhelming except maybe for the rare student who is on a very steep learning curve.

Mary Ellen GoreeJuly 8, 2017, 8:07 AM Paul, it depends very much on the individual student's age, needs, and maturity. Sorry I can't give a better answer than that. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548883144385-0'); );

Paul DeckJuly 8, 2017, 10:02 AM Yeah I kind of expected that would be the case. No worries.

Helen SmitJuly 8, 2017, 2:55 PM In response to comments regarding the Flesch book: I don't believe that Flesch really should be used to teach or introduce. I read somewhere that Flesch meant his book as a shortcut for advanced students who already know scales and just need a reference for maintaining their scales. I think that it is a good summary. Allow me to ask another related question: What do you guys have to say about the Galamian scale system? How does it compare to Flesch, Fischer, etc.? This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.

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