scales question.

[jazzyjeff]

having been learning piano for about 6 years now. i never learnt any theory.
just got on with learning tunes i like to play.
i am now studying music theory and how to read music properly.
i am ok at deciphering music from sheet music.
so how important is it to practice scales ?
is it worth knowing all major scales in every key ?
i am really enjoying learning the theory.
and i feel my playing will drastically improve now.
thanks in advance.

[chopincrazy23]

having been learning piano for about 6 years now. i never learnt any theory.
just got on with learning tunes i like to play.
i am now studying music theory and how to read music properly.
i am ok at deciphering music from sheet music.
so how important is it to practice scales ?
is it worth knowing all major scales in every key ?
i am really enjoying learning the theory.
and i feel my playing will drastically improve now.
thanks in advance.

To answer your question, yes scales are very important to learn. I think that you should also learn the minor scales after (or at the same time, your choice:D) you learn the major ones, but memorizing is important to! They are important because for one, they help you warm up when you start your practice. Two, once you start learning them, you get used to the keys that they're in. Once you get used to the key signatures you can sight read a little bit better. Three, scales actually help you play faster. Four, if your playing with a metronome (which I recommend) you can develop better timing.

[bronnestam]

I prefer playing the scales when I need a mental break in my practicing. Instead, I warm up by playing what I feel is my "major" task that session. Maybe it does not sound that good at first, but at least I have assured that I HAVE done the most important task first!

I used to do the other way round. I started by playing scales, and even more scales, and punctuated scales, and staccato scales and slow scales and fast scales and all that stuff. The result: 1. Often I got interrupted or tired and quit my practicing session somewhere in the middle of it.  2. It was boring and so I left the piano with the "bored" feeling and felt less encouraged next time ... 3. I got, almost literally DEAF because listening to scales for too long time makes you stop listen at all, and when you get to more interesting musical stuff you cannot just switch the listening function on again.

Now I start with the fun and interesting things. They are often mentally demanding - learning new things and so on - so when I feel tired I play scales for a while. They are also good as relaxation exercises. I am also more motivated to practice scales if I have met the demand for them in pieces I study. Neither do I practice scales in many different keys in one session, I rather pick "the key of the day" and then I only switch key when I want some variation.

[felipe717]

Actually I don't warm up with scales... I'm used to warm up playing musics - yes, musics - and in a few minutes I'm ready to study harder. But nevertheless I still do study scales.
But I do agree that studying scales is very, very important, because if you're playing a music in a key signature you aren't used to, the scales you had practiced before will help you. For example, I find the B flat key a little difficult, because I almost play it like E flat, playing the A flat too... And for minor keys, even though I don't play many musics with this key, I find B flat minor also difficult... ('-' yes, I have problems with B flat... ¬¬) So I try to practice this key very much, so my problems will get easier to solve.
Theory is also very rewarding, since you can play without having many doubts about the score, for example.

[jazzyjeff]

thanks for the replies, one problem i am facing is with my left hand.
being right handed i feel my left hand is lacking.
is it just a case of plenty of practice.
with my left hand, my ring finger feels sort of useless, like its got no life or strength.
is this normal ?
on a positive note i'm sort of enjoying learning scales. i know i have a long road ahead of me.
but at least i'm on the right road.
any help & advice is more than welcome.

[chopincrazy23]

My teacher gave me the Hanon exercise book. (I use these to warm up when I don't feel like playing scales) They really help strengthen your fingers, especially your 4 and 5 fingers, and your hands. These might help 

[danhuyle]

A lot of pieces have scales in them so that's the most obvious reason to practice scales.

I know piano teachers who practice scales daily as part of their routine.