Running Up and down scales

[sgreen12]

Hey, I went to a jazz/classical orchestra concert mixed together. It was one of the best concerts I went to. But anyway I was lucky enough to get there early enough to sit on the balcony overlooking the piano. I was watching his hands the whole time. He made it look so easy to run up and down the scales. Typical jazz/blues style pianist. But it was incredible.

Is there a progression for something like that. He was doing a typical jazz pianist arrpeggio. But when i run up and down a scale it doesnt sound anything like what he plays. Im wondering if aside from the huge difference in talent there is a trick to a technique like that? Thanks so much

[steve jones]

Totally, do a search my good man and you'll find LOADS of info on fast scales.

Alot of people subscribe to a technique called the 'Thumb Over'.

SJ

[sgreen12]

Hey thanks for the reply. Im sorry I wasnt clear. I understand how to run up and down the scales. Im just curious if there is a special scale they use in situations like that. The pianst moves so fast that i was thinking it was the chromatic scale but it didnt sound like it, so i was curious what he was doing. From what I heard it seemed to be pretty standard.  Thanks

[kevink]

It's probably an octatonic, or diminished, scale.  There are three of them.. they go H-W-H-W-H.... and so on.  Google it! 
Best,Kevin