[clarem45]

I had to smile today - two reasons really - the first I had decided to have a theory lesson instead of playing my instrument and was amazed how much I enjoyed it!!! and secondly just as I was putting my stuff away my Teachers says "Clare, I have been thinking it really is time you learn't your scales" Could not help but smile and thought of all the comments on the board here.

So, have a list to learn - 12 major scales - starting with C Major and C# Major - he has told me to do two a week slowly and carefully and to keep at them until they are automatic. Have to day C# is far from automatic at the moment lol!!

Anyway just wanted to share as I know this news will receive lots of approval.

Thanks again to all of you to take the time to help answer my questions - I am sure there will be lots more!

Clare

 

[sandster]

Thanks for your report, Clare. You've got some tough work ahead, but remember, as your teacher said, slowly and carefully. Let us know how it goes in a couple of months.

 

[getafix]

Did you find out from your teacher why you had to learn those bloomin' scales?

 

[skeller047]

Keep asking Clare - as you progress, the information you get will begin to make more sense.

 

[BOPITY FUNK]

Good stuff babe! keep on truckin' !!

 

[lutemann]

You should learn them on the sax in order of complexity; something like this C, G, F, D, A, Bb, etc.

 

[lutemann]

As to why you should learn scales it's because that's the way music goes. Tonal music will move about 10 to 20% of the time in scale patterns. Once you know scales, the music will make more sense.

 

[Agent27]

You should learn them on the sax in order of complexity; something like this C, G, F, D, A, Bb, etc.

Maybe, maybe not. Charlie Parker learned his chromatically. Nobody told him C# was supposed to be hard.

I once had a teacher who said "There ain't nothin' but two scales, C and C#. Everything else is just variations." A little hyperbolic? Yes, but there's some truth in that.

 

[Dr G]

Maybe, maybe not. Charlie Parker learned his chromatically. Nobody told him C# was supposed to be hard.

I agree. I almost resent someone planting the thought that something is supposed to be difficult to learn.

 

[TommyD69]

You really only have to learn 1/2 of a (major) scale at a time...

The 2nd half of one major scale is the 1st half of another major scale.

i.e. the 2nd half of a C major scale (G, A, B, C), is the 1st half of a G major scale, and the 2nd half of a G major scale (D, E, F#, G) is the 1st half of a D major scale... etc, etc, etc...

and the intervals of the notes of both halves of a major scale are... whole step, whole step, half step... (with a whole step interval between the halves)...

It's really just simple mathematics... learn the intervals and you can play ANY major scale (once you know how to play all the notes on the horn).

 

[lutemann]

No one ever had to tell me that C# (Db) is difficult, I figured that out myself. The more flats and sharps, the slower I play.

 

[PaulieBoy]

I'm getting lessons for about 8 weeks or so now. I still have not played a single tune!
First few weeks sorting out bad habits and the rest is scales. All of the major scales.
He had me play the christmas carol Noel last night in all the major keys. A task I find darn near impossible to do. But did.
And to make matters worse, I'm not allowed use my book of scales. Gotta work them all out in my head and then play em !
So your lucky

 

[skeller047]

I'm getting lessons for about 8 weeks or so now. I still have not played a single tune!
First few weeks sorting out bad habits and the rest is scales. All of the major scales.
He had me play the christmas carol Noel last night in all the major keys. A task I find darn near impossible to do. But did.
And to make matters worse, I'm not allowed use my book of scales. Gotta work them all out in my head and then play em !
So your lucky

Your teacher's approach to scales is the correct one. You have to know them by heart, so well you don't even think about it.

Regarding tunes, I would play some anyway if I were you. Bearing in mind the good habits...

 

[Brendan]

I'm getting lessons for about 8 weeks or so now. I still have not played a single tune!
First few weeks sorting out bad habits and the rest is scales. All of the major scales.
He had me play the christmas carol Noel last night in all the major keys. A task I find darn near impossible to do. But did.
And to make matters worse, I'm not allowed use my book of scales. Gotta work them all out in my head and then play em !
So your lucky

Sounds like my teacher .. I had to play "Over the rainbow" in all twelve keys, about 3 months after picking up a sax for the first time. :evil:
(It's all about the intervals ! )

 

[clarem45]

Been reading the responses with interest - have to say if my teacher had me doing scales first and little else I would have probably given up! It is to my teachers credit, I think, that he realized this and has only now mentioned them - at a time when I want to learn them and are likely to tackle them!

Perhaps if I had started learning as a child and my Teacher had started with scales I would have just done them without question - as children do!

Right off to try again............

Clare

p.s Getafix - did not ask him why I am learning them - felt that could eat up another hour lol!!!
besides I am getting a bit better at just "doing" rather than "questioning"

 

[lutemann]

You might consider getting Al Viola's scale book Vol 1. It's like the Hannon for the saxophone. You get to read through scale exercises which will go a long way to learning them.

 

[piwikiwi]

I agree. I almost resent someone planting the thought that something is supposed to be difficult to learn.

When you play a C major scale you mostly move just one finger at the same time while playing C# you have quite a lot of notes for which you need to move 2 fingers. That's what makes it hard for me.

 

[PaulieBoy]

Been reading the responses with interest - have to say if my teacher had me doing scales first and little else I would have probably given up! It is to my teachers credit, I think, that he realized this and has only now mentioned them - at a time when I want to learn them and are likely to tackle them!

Perhaps if I had started learning as a child and my Teacher had started with scales I would have just done them without question - as children do!

Right off to try again............

Clare

I don't know your situation Clare, but I did learn classical piano some years back and a few other instruments and I know the importance of learning the scales, hard and all as that may be.
The scales are like a route map of a town, you will always struggle to get from one place to another if you don't know the correct route! You will get there, but without knowing your scales you will never really know how you got there! If ya get me...
Knowing the scales will only make you a better player, that has to be a good thing

 

[clarem45]

I hope so because C# major is driving me nuts!! lol[rolleyes]

clare

 

[rleitch]

It seems to me that students who are interested in popular music should begin learning the Bebop dominant scales instead of the major scales! It's just one more note, and they sound better and are more fun to learn.