Scales, after they have been learned

[netzow]

Ok. The question I pose on this tread is as follows: when you have finished scales how do you practice them. I'm learning-relearning all the scales Major, Melodic, Harmonic. I am doing this first of all because it's good for me and second of all for College auditions. What is your method of keeping up your sclales, or if you don't practice scales anymore how did you keep them in tip top shape? Also does anyone know if the jurors will want you to play theI IV 5/7 Chord progression after the scale? Thank you!

[cmg]

I didn't want your question to go unanswered, so I'll take a crack at it.  In my auditions I was never asked to play scales, let alone ending chord progressions, but that was just my experience.  In juries, however, yes, I was asked to play scales, but, again, never the progressions.  It can't hurt to learn them, however, just to be sure.

I, personally, practice scales every day.  It keeps me honest.  I do each hand alone slowly to make sure I'm not developing any bad habits.  I'm sure many professional and advanced pianists don't practice scales.  With a well-established, solid technique, practicing their repertoire is enough.  I'm not a pro, just an amateur, and my profession often keeps me too busy to practice as much as I want.  So, the scales are a great way for me to warm up and monitor tension and my hand position.  Each scale poses its own technical problem.  That's why I always go back to them.

[jepoy]

When learning new pieces or mastering existing ones, I usually review the scale(s) of the key(s) of the piece. It helps me anticipate the notes. For certain pieces like those by Bach, I review the scale in 10th. It really does help in learning Bach.

[alwaystheangel]

well, b/c I'm really working on saxophone right now (piano isn't my major, sniff sniff) but in our jury you have to know all your scales, for sure and once you get them down pat, you learn to play them faster and faster and with crazier articulations (Which I guess a piano can only do to a degree) then there's the stoping point/goal which seems to be like 160 in sixteeth notes, and them,? You just play them all the time all over again.  My prof still practices scales and he's like one of the top performers of classical sax in the country.

I've always felt (Although I never did this) that one shold always practice scales, that they are there to torture you for forever. Once you learn the, you can never escape...
Mwahahahahaha

[netzow]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I especially like the Idea of working on the same scale as the key of the piece. Thank you!