Practicing scales and arpeggios

[kghayesh]

Hi,
I wanted to know what's the perfect way to practice scales and arpeggios. What I do is that when i learn a new scale, first i repeat it HS and slowly many times so that i can play them without thinking.. Then, i play them HT first slowly and gradually building up speed.
The problem is that when i play them HT i always get some wrong notes.

[xvimbi]

Hi,
I wanted to know what's the perfect way to practice scales and arpeggios. What I do is that when i learn a new scale, first i repeat it HS and slowly many times so that i can play them without thinking.. Then, i play them HT first slowly and gradually building up speed.
The problem is that when i play them HT i always get some wrong notes.

One should never, never play without thinking. It's a common misconception that technical exercises have to be brought to a stage where they can be done without thinking. At this point, the exercises become completely useless. Playing the piano starts in the head, every single note of it. Don't exclude the most important aspect from your playing.

Concerning your particular problem, you could also just no do HT. It is disputed why one would do scales HT anyway as there are very few instances in the repertoire where one would need them. However, as a general exercise in coordination, HT scales are still valuable. However that can be done in different ways, e.g. by playing Bach. You will probably find that after playing Bach for a while, your HT scales will work splendidly.

[rshillen]

I expect there are other threads on this subject dotted about Piano Forum, however on a similar theme I am often confused when playing scales HT whether one should watch one's LH or RH when playing them. I personally find that I tend to watch my LH and that if I purposely watch the RH then I start finding errors creeping into the playing. Indeed should one try practicing them with a blindfold?

Secondly, can anyone advice on the supposed merits of playing them a third, a sixth or a tenth apart. What greater benefit is gained above that of playing them an octave apart?

Finally, should one use the music when playing scales? I find that I am sufficiently familiar with the fingering and notes from a muscular memory point of view that I never use the scales and arpeggios manual. However, is this a good idea, since I am sure I have forgot the various accidentals and double sharps/flats etc that occur on the written page and therefore might not automatically recognise those keys when I met them in an actual piece.

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say on these issues.

Bob

[BoliverAllmon]

I expect there are other threads on this subject dotted about Piano Forum, however on a similar theme I am often confused when playing scales HT whether one should watch one's LH or RH when playing them. I personally find that I tend to watch my LH and that if I purposely watch the RH then I start finding errors creeping into the playing. Indeed should one try practicing them with a blindfold?

Secondly, can anyone advice on the supposed merits of playing them a third, a sixth or a tenth apart. What greater benefit is gained above that of playing them an octave apart?

Finally, should one use the music when playing scales? I find that I am sufficiently familiar with the fingering and notes from a muscular memory point of view that I never use the scales and arpeggios manual. However, is this a good idea, since I am sure I have forgot the various accidentals and double sharps/flats etc that occur on the written page and therefore might not automatically recognise those keys when I met them in an actual piece.

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say on these issues.

Bob

Play the scale concentrating on the LH first, then play it concentrating the RH. When you can do this then you are really starting to master the piece. It was recommended to me once that I should do this with every piece I ever learn.

boliver