The scale of G melodic minor presented as a practice drill or warm up where keyboard & piano players can play-a-long & accompany the available backing tracks. Improver level scales involve 2 octave playing. The melodic minor scale is a challenge because the notes going up and down the scale are different. The structure of the scale going up is: tone | semitone | tone| tone | tone | tone |semitone and the structure going down is tone | tone | semitone | tone | tone | semitone | tone When learning the minor scale in whatever form the scale needs to be played slowly in the first instance until the sound and shape are familiar. Playing the harmonic minor scale is an easier option because the same notes are played going up and down the scale. More improver scales and backing tracks are available on the PlentyMusic website. Download mp3’s to a mobile phone to improve music practice routines. The accompaniment tracks have a range of tempo from 60 to 144 beats per minute (bpm). The playback score on the free mp3 download is 84bpm. Improve music practice and make progress with PlentyMusic pdf sheetmusic & mp3 accompaniment downloads. Each scale is played 3 times with a one bar gap between each scale. A wood block sound provides a one bar preparation for the playing of each scale exercise. The playing sequence is as follows: Right hand two octaves Left hand two octaves Right and left hands together two octaves similar motion Right and left hands together one octave contrary motion Do keep to the specified fingering In a sitting position the level of the keyboard should be 72.5cms above floor level At the improver level the scales should be played evenly & smoothly (legato). Playing scales does involve repetition but they need to be played with engagement and concentration. There are always aspects of ones playing that can be improved. Understand that there will be additional challenges from PlentyMusic as to how scales can be played. Thumb under & third finger over preparation is an aspect of keyboard technique that needs to taken on board and will be clarified in a video posts. Please feedback to PlentyMusic on any additional warm ups or practice drills required or changes that need to be made to those currently in place. Look out for the PlentyMusic videos later in the year with practical tips on the playing of scales and the piano/ keyboard in general. Always make music practice a challenge as well as being interesting. When playing scales aim to keep a lightness in the hands particularly when they are played at fast tempi. Use a mobile phone, tablet or desktop to provide the backing tracks needed to enjoy scale practice as an ensemble activity. When playing along to the backing tracks do have an awareness of the beat, pulse and tempo. Whilst there are many ways in which musical notes can be articulated in the early stages of playing scales a legato touch should be and remain the focus. When playing scales as in most other #musicperformance contexts fingers need to be close to the keys The weight of the arm & hand should be imagined to be being released or even flow out through the finger tips. The challenge in playing music is that it involves much repetition. The gifted musician is one able to internalise what has been learnt and progress quickly to more difficult challenges.
