The natural minor scale starting on C presented as a practice drill or warm up where keyboard & piano players can play-a-long & accompany backing tracks. Improver level scales involve 2 octave playing. Not relevant every day of the week or in music from the classical era where voice leading defaults to the melodic & harmonic versions of the scale. However it has a relevant context in much folk music. When learning the scale familiarise yourself with the sound and structure of the scale. In the c natural minor scale the 3rd 6th and 7th notes of scale are flattened. mp3 play-a-long tracks can be easily accessed and downloaded to a mobile phone from the PlentyMusic website to improve music practice routines. The accompaniment tracks have a range of tempo from 60 to 144 beats per minute (bpm) and are presented in 12 bpm steps (60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132 & 144bpm). The mp3 on the audition free download plays back at 108 quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute. Improve music practice routines and make progress with PlentyMusic pdf #sheetmusic & mp3 accompaniment downloads. Each scale is to be played 3 times with a one bar gap between each scale. PlentyMusic scale practice exercises are designed to improve technical skills and are presented in a metrical context enabling keyboard players to practice and improve their technical & aural skills as part of an ensemble playing activity. 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 two octaves contrary motion Keep to the specified fingering Remember that 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 at the same time they need to be played with engagement and concentration 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.
