Advice on Scales

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 2:45 pm

Hi - I havea question about what things are best to
learn when teaching yourself to play flute and piccolo. I''m 54 and have been
teaching myself flute and piccolo for almost a year as a hobby. I might someday
want to join our community band but now I just play along with the University of
Illinois Marching Illini CD''s for fun. I played trupmet for 8 years in grade
school and high school and did well so at least I''m familiar with musical
instruments. I noticed everyone always talks about scales. I don''t have any
tryouts to prepare for so I''m wondering what do you learn from that - is it a
good way to develop flexibility with all the fingerings? On the trumpet I
don''t remember playing all that many scales other than warmups. What should I
focus on other than long tones. I''m coming along but I need to practive more
effectively. I basically just "wing it". Thanks, Gerry G

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 4:02 pm

To train your fingers to think for themselves and free
the mind for concentrating on technical difficultiess. They help you obtain
agility and evenness in playing. It helps with clean execution of awkward
fingerings. It gives you a an awareness of tonality and the intonation of each
different key. Kim

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:07 pm

Thank you, Kim. That all makes sense so I'll learn
those scales! Gerry G

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 6:47 pm

Gerry~ You are very welcome. I am plugging along in
the same boat with you. I just picked up the flute after not playing for 20
years. Some things come back quickly but some are taking some work. I am using
my daughters beginner book and trying to just take one lesson at a time. Kim

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 10:27 pm

Some very educational, informative and enjoyable
reading http://www.larrykrantz.com/scaleuse.htm The article is 101 uses for
scales and answers you question as completely as anyone ever could Penny Lanne
said "I don't play the Flute, I play the mother of the Flaut player"

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 12:07 pm

Penny - Thanks - I will definitely check it out. Gerry
G

Princess · Post by **Princess** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 9:18 pm

Umm..could someone help me, i know this sounds stupid,
but what are scales? (never played an instrument before)