Violin Scales for the Beginner Violinist
Are you a beginner violinist ready to learn scales? In this post discover what exactly are scales, how to build and how to practice!
Scales are music and music is scales. Practicing scales allows you to be prepared for anything – they are like the perfect energetic meal or warm up for your violin journey. Think of it as a trail mix and green juice all in one for violin trekking.
Practicing scales makes playing music easier…plain and simple.
Want to improve tone, intonation and bow control?
Practice scales…
So, what exactly is a scale? A Scale consists of 7 pitches – the eighth pitch is a repeat of the original but an octave higher. Before understanding a scale, one has to understand what are whole steps and half steps because these are the building blocks of the scales.
“Violin Scales for the Beginning Violinist” is a 31 page E-Book featuring one octave A Major, D Major, G Major lower and upper octaves and G Major two octave scales. Also includes “Walking,” whole step half step exercises and “Skipping,” broken third exercises followed by a broken third challenge.
All exercises walk you through the scales rhythmically fostering an effortless and extremely efficient note reading experience.
Half steps and whole steps are the building blocks of scales
In the video, extracted from Mastering Fundamentals Academy, I discuss whole steps and half steps. The volume is a little soft so best to use headphones while listening to this video or just turn up the volume on your computer.
The simple build a scale formula is :
whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half
or
W W H W W W H
(first letter of each step)
This formula works from any note you start from, for example, say you start with the pitch C
Whole Step, C to D, Whole Step, D to E, Half Step, E to F, Whole Step, F to G, Whole Step, G to A, Whole Step, A to B, Half Step B to C
Let me tell you a bit about my violin scale story
When I was 11 years old, my violin teacher put the Carl Flesch scale book on the stand for me to start practicing scales on the violin. I had played scales for 7 years at this point on the piano and don’t remember a hatred for scales but when it came to the violin I struggled with scales. My teacher didn’t really know how to teach scales in a way that was enjoyable. She didn’t help me know how to fix the problems or what to do. I just stayed on the same scales and arpeggios, being tortured week in week out with no guided help. I wasn’t taught how to break down the shifts, how to get to know the pitches, how to even practice.
My dear mom sat and played the piano with me on every pitch to help but to no avail. After the University, I found a way that turned this hatred, monotony, frustration into love, peace and joy and it all started with a single pitch. As if I had never heard before. Now, I love scales and every student of mine does as well with my approach.
After an International move to play with a Bulgarian chamber orchestra, I finally had the time to CREATE the exercises and method books I have always wanted to for my students. Before now, there was absolutely no time performing with over 20 different orchestras a year, solo and chamber group performances, personal practice and all while maintaining a private studio between 15 and 30 students.
Please share in the comments below your ahas from the video tutorials and how you plan to apply this into your daily practices sessions.
I love you teaching Heather; you’re great…imagine where I come from watching you programme Thank you
Thank you so much! Glad you are here.
Awww thank you tons! Glad you are here. What are you currently working on?
Hi,
I’ve been playing the violin for some time, now. I’m self taught. It’s very difficult learning to play violin by yourself, I’m learning that. A really good violin teacher is so valuable, especially if you are serious about learning. I wish now that, after all this time, I would have been studying along with a really good teacher.
I don’t have too many chances to find good violin teachers, here in Quebec. Having a teacher can really shorten the time it takes to learn all the important techniques required to become a good violinist.
I’ve come across some GOOD violin teachers on line that i have observed, and Heather is definitely one of them. I have recently purchased her PRACTICE CALENDAR and I’m looking forward to all of her daily tips on good violin practice.
I thought i would share my thoughts with those eager, beginner and intermediate violin enthusiasts.
NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!
DEE👩👓🎼🎻