Stacatto Scales

[klm46]

I find these really difficult, as when I play them, they are both uneven and painful.  There also seems to be a speed limit, which my legato scales can exceed with ease, but the stacatto just don't cross.  What is the correct technique for playing these scsles; ie. which part of my arm/hand should I be using etc.  Thanks!

[faustsaccomplice]

Hey Kim,

If the scales have to be fast, then use a snappy finger movement, almost pulling back toward you.  I don't like to use a word like "pulling" however, because it promotes tension.  But that's the jist of it.  Feel as if you don't push the keys down all the way.  Like you're just brushing them (but not so much that your sound is thinner than you want).  If the scales are slower then you can use your wrist/arm, but otherwise it's mostly in the fingers.

Of course, the wrist and arm must still be supple. 

The sound doesn't need to be very staccato, but light and detached. 

But before I stand by what I've said completely, why don't you tell me which passage you're working on, because every piece is different...

[ramseytheii]

Hey Kim,

If the scales have to be fast, then use a snappy finger movement, almost pulling back toward you.  I don't like to use a word like "pulling" however, because it promotes tension. 
Of course, the wrist and arm must still be supple. 

I like to use the description, as if you are stroking a cat very fast.  A cat doesn't like to be stroked "up," or, "in," but "down," or, "out."
And it is important to remember that the fingers cannot do all the work: the hand has to move in and out of the keyboard like a fish swims in water, not in a straight line.  For this the shoulders and elbow need to coordinate and the wrist needs to be able to breathe.  I hope these images help you.

Walter Ramsey

[klm46]

Thanks for your replies.  These scales aren't part of a piece - they're just scales required for an exam.  I know there's been a lot of debating as to the effecrtiveness of practising scales, but this is just something I have to do without choice!