Scales, Chords, & Arpeggios: A New Approach

[klavieronin]

A while ago I was thinking about how I learnt scales, chords, and arpeggios, and how I had been teaching them based on how I was taught. It got me thinking whether or not there was an alternative approach that would make the whole process a little less painful, and perhaps more useful. Here is what I came up with. This is based largely on experiments with my own students but I've pushed it somewhat further than they have gone because I wanted something that I could use myself too.

This, along with several other projects, is one of the fruits of my pandemic labour. I hope people don't mind me posting these things here. I'm happy for anybody's comments or criticisms.

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[volcanoadam]

I wouldn't say it's a completely new approach, but I can see some good ideas, so thanks for that 
I didn't see any exercises in contrary motion. Did you omit those purposely? I find them very helpful, both in scales and arpeggios.

[klavieronin]

I wouldn't say it's a completely new approach, but I can see some good ideas, so thanks for that 
I didn't see any exercises in contrary motion. Did you omit those purposely? I find them very helpful, both in scales and arpeggios.

Yes, not entirely new. I didn't want to abandon the traditional approach completely. The scale exercise in level 5 and the "Mastery" level includes contrary motion and the 7th arpeggio exercises in level 5 includes very limited contrary motion and the end.

It was quite difficult to decide what to include and what not to include. I didn't want it to blow up into something that was impossible for most people to work through thoroughly so I had to be very selective about what to include and what the leave out. In the end I went with what I considered most essential. I am considering making an appendix with more exercises and variations for more ambitious students though.

[anacrusis]

Yes, not entirely new. I didn't want to abandon the traditional approach completely. The scale exercise in level 5 and the "Mastery" level includes contrary motion and the 7th arpeggio exercises in level 5 includes very limited contrary motion and the end.

It was quite difficult to decide what to include and what not to include. I didn't want it to blow up into something that was impossible for most people to work through thoroughly so I had to be very selective about what to include and what the leave out. In the end I went with what I considered most essential. I am considering making an appendix with more exercises and variations for more ambitious students though.

I think that's a good idea. These are pretty neat. What else did you create during the pandemic, if I may ask?

[klavieronin]

I think that's a good idea. These are pretty neat. What else did you create during the pandemic, if I may ask?

Thanks. Do you mean you think the appendix is a good idea?

My other pandemic works include a series of lessons for people with no musical experience. It's a sort of crash course to give people a taste of what it's like to learn and play the piano without needing to learn to read music notation. 25 lessons so far, each including music for piano and other instruments.

Then there is a rather large collection of graded solo piano pieces for absolute beginners to intermediate players. 192 pieces in 3 volumes (+ a forth volume planned).

And at the moment I'm collaborating with an artist in Tokyo. We are putting together a small collection of music and watercolour paintings.

[anacrusis]

Thanks. Do you mean you think the appendix is a good idea?

Yes, exactly. This is just based on my own experience growing up and learning the piano, but I think there is a valuable psychological component in having the stuff you need to do, and optional stuff you can tackle if you are hungry for more. I had a lesson book where there were the normal pieces you learned as you progressed through the book, and an end section with harder "real" pieces from the classical repertoire. When you learned the normal pieces the book sometimes indicated that you were now ready for a particular optional "real" piece at the end of the book. I certainly dove into learning those 

My other pandemic works include a series of lessons for people with no musical experience. It's a sort of crash course to give people a taste of what it's like to learn and play the piano without needing to learn to read music notation. 25 lessons so far, each including music for piano and other instruments.

Then there is a rather large collection of graded solo piano pieces for absolute beginners to intermediate players. 192 pieces in 3 volumes (+ a forth volume planned).

And at the moment I'm collaborating with an artist in Tokyo. We are putting together a small collection of music and watercolour paintings.

Sounds like a lot of fun. I find there is a particular satisfaction in creating something and putting it out in the world. Especially combining music and art/paintings is a lot of fun.

[determined2learn]

As a new student, I love these exercises! I need to get them and try them!  Thank you for posting. 

[klavieronin]

As a new student, I love these exercises! I need to get them and try them!  Thank you for posting.

Thanks very much. I hope you find them helpful.

[klavieronin]

I've updated this course now. Reorganised pretty much from the ground up. It's more concise and (I believe) more useful now. The progression from one level to he next is a little smoother. I've added chord symbols and the PDFs for levels 1-4 are available both with or without fingering. Check it out if you think it might be useful for you or your students. The best part I've made it totally free. Just download from my website. https://klavieronin.com/exercises/scales-chords-arpeggios-a-new-approach/

[ego0720]

Hey! Where’s the love! Thanks klavieronin for sharing. These take time to make and you offer them free. I’m gonna use them as variety in my library of scale books. There is an old joke where they say the best way to hide ideas is to put them in books.

[klavieronin]

Thanks ego0720.  You’re right, a LOT of work went into this but it was a labour of love. It’s exactly what I wish I had when I was learning and I’m only too happy to make it available for everyone. I’ve never heard that joke before but I like it.

[johnvw]

Dear Klavieronin,
Many thanks, as a mature beginner I will find these exercises very helpful for my finger dexterity.
The awkwardness I find as a beginner, preferring a Classical path, is determining the correct skills to master and if a recognised order of approach exists.
Further reading simply suggests Everything is ( eventually required ), as a beginner and enthusiastic, this is simply overwhelming.
God bless those who start at age 6.

Best Regards
John

[klavieronin]

Thank John, I hope you find it useful. Let us know how you get on.