Some boring questions on scales

[barnowl]

When we play scales in thirds or in tenths, what value is it to play them in the same octave so the hands are so close they seem to be conspiring on something.  What do we gain by this?

Why do we say, "...in tenths"? What are the tenths? Where are they?

In my scale book* when we play majors in contrary motion, we start on the same note, so one thumb plays, uh, do. Why not start an octave apart so both thumbs can get in on the action all the time? Is there some rule against this?


*Mastering the Scales and Arpeggios" by James Francis Cooke.

[Bob]

My hands got squished by playing scales in thirds, 2 notes to 2 hands.  That did seem a little useless.  I don't do that now. 

Thirds are a basic part of music so it makes sense to play scales in thirds.  It might come up in the music.

What's a tenth?  An interval, just like a 3rd.    unison, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, octave, 9th, 10th -- Like playing the thirds close together, the same notes, but an octave and a third apart.

You just have to pick a hand when either thumb can play the note.

Practicing scales in different ways is good.  If you want, play them an extra octave apart.  Be daring.  Be a wild man.  A wild barnowl.

If you've got scales and scales in thirds like that down well enough, I would start changing things up more often -- different scale patterns if you can learn them quick.

[barnowl]

Thanks, Bob. Makes sense.

When I get the thirds down pat, maybe I'll try some other fractions. Maybe.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

On practicing such material, my teacher has me play the from one octave apart, to having them to play at the ends of the keyboard. If you only practice arpeggios in 2 octaves, you are going to have trouble playing them evenly at 4 octaves, because different positions need to be excercised.

[lung7793]

Try practicing scales in 3rds with one hand as well, but be careful of the fingering...I would think the book you mentioned would give good ones for each scale.  This will make playing 3rds hands separately seem like cake!  Good for developing finger independence too.  Also, my old teacher used to advocate playing in 6ths as well...say start on an E w/ the left hand and C with the right hand for C major.  Boy, all this talk about scales reminds me that i need to practice them, I've been slacking the past couple of years!!

[timothy42b]

Sneak into the church and play them on the organ.

You can have your hands on separate manuals that way. 

[barnowl]

Sneak into the church and play them on the organ.

You can have your hands on separate manuals that way. 

You mean having one hand on one tier of keys and the other hand on another tier?

Anyway, I was watching the organist this past Sunday. He's hitting keys with both hands then punching buttons (for various effects), conducting the choir and with his feet, nudging those wooden levers. The organ's not an instrument, but a variation on the Nautilus.