Do you teach your students to play scales in all the keys?

[okietransplant]

Just wondering what different teachers require. At what point do you want your students to be able to play scales in all keys?  How do you motivate them?  I am hitting a slump and need some ideas.

[winenroses]

Exercising focus span -
1) Within a similar key, the student can be encouraged to play a minor scale on the RH while a major scale on the LH, (or vice versa).
OR
2) Complete different key scales (in major or minor) on each hand.

Personally I do find this method rather challenging but it proves to be very effective in increasing the focus span of individual.

While I find the importance of vast interaction between the teachers and students to be important, I've came up with the following methods for scales practices.

Exercising aural skills as well - Would be better if you have two pianos
1) The student should not be looking at the piano (if you are only teaching with 1 piano). The teacher will play any keys that he or she likes, staccato or legato, major or minor. The student will have to replay the exact scale.

Of course there are definitely room for improvisation, if you find the above method too dull. You could have the student replay the exact scale first (basic e.g. C major), then play the relative major or minor scales (e.g. A minor).

Speed with accuracy - Still better with two pianos
1) This is mere speed challenge while being really accurate in scales playing. Choosing of keys to play can be make interactive by the teachers or students' call (e.g Ab minor melodic, legato, left hand OR D minor harmonic, left hand, staccato, both hands). Each turn, shout a desired key and immediately after that, both teacher and student will have to play the scale at certain pre-set tempo.

A rather enjoyable, but fruitful scales practice session.  Hope it helps!

[keyofc]

Yes, I do.

I have a goal sheet for students.
I teach them the formula for a major scale WWHWWWH
and teach them that way in C.
And then have them go to any random note on the piano (preferably a black note)
since it is thought of as so hard - and show them how easy it is to play it if they stick to the formula.

They ultimately should learn how to play C Major in RH, a minor in LH
and hear the harmony. and be able to do this in all keys. - this takes at least a year for me
to get them comfortable with that since we are focusing on so many other things too.

[ajspiano]

Just wondering what different teachers require. At what point do you want your students to be able to play scales in all keys?  How do you motivate them?  I am hitting a slump and need some ideas.

I'm not even sure what you're asking..   for some students may want to get to...

Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, locrian, harmonic and melodic minors..

As scales, arps, 6th arps, 7th arps, 9th arps, ...patterns... ...in rhythms..  with chromatic passing notes..

bebop, diminished, major and minor pentatonics, blues..

..in all keys..  as a start..

Not a small project - heavily dependent on the students desires.

[keyofc]

You might start by selecting a song they know well - (for motivation)
and teaching them a new scale - and how to transpose the piece
into the new scale.

[okietransplant]

Thanks for the ideas- you guys are amazing!  What I'd have been doing is an event called "scale wars". It starts in January, one scale a week, while reviewing the previous scales.  I try to build the set of the circle of fifths.  Students are on different levels of difficulty.  In April, I want them to play all 12 scales, in under 3 minutes, no more than 3 mistakes. OR - take your time- but only make 1 or two mistakes.  After achieving that goal- in years' past- we have had a friendly competition to see who plays their scales the best.  This year, several students requested that we not compete, so we are going to celebrate achieving their goals with a party in the park and prizes and certificates.

Anyway, it has been so hard lately I have been wondering if my standard is too high?  I have been improvising and transposing with some just to show them why we study scales.  It's just been discouraging lately.  One student admitted she didn't practice them because she was lazy.  So, lots of opportunity to talk about character and hard work.