Never, ever, ever, ever, ever play scales as mere “exercises”…
… like mindlessly lifting weights or doing jumping jacks.
Doing so is not good preparation for performance.
Scale study, done right, should make your brain, not your body, tired.
To that end, keep the following points in mind…
- Study-practice scales in commonly-used musical patterns (as you will see below).
- Always play scales musically–with musical phrasing, articulation, and dynamics.
- Always play with good rhythm. In order to check your time, play with a metronome or click track, count out loud, tap your feet, or clap time on your lap with your off-hand.
- Always play with good technique. Never accept any tension or awkwardness in your execution. (see Piano Technique)
- Always, always, always play with your ears fully engaged. Hint: Sing the notes in your mind’s ear as you play, then play it like you sing it!
That said, here are some study-practice ideas that will take your musicianship to the next level–by combining theory, keyboard awareness, ear training, fingering, technique, musicianship, and interpretation all at once.
Legato 9-Note Scale over I-V7-I Chord Progression…
Ascending with crescendo, then descending with diminuendo…
Descending with diminuendo, then ascending with crescendo…
Staccato 9-Note Scale over I-V7-I Chord Progression…
Ascending with crescendo, then descending with diminuendo…
Descending with diminuendo, then ascending with crescendo…
Duplets over 2 Octaves…
Ascending…
Descending…
Triplets over 3 Octaves
Ascending…
Descending…
Broken Thirds
Technique Tip: This pattern absolutely requires lateral and rocking arm motion…
Ascending…
Descending…
Broken Duplets (Two-Note Slurs)
Ascending…
Descending…
Broken Triplets…
Ascending…
Descending…
Many other musical patterns are also possible, but at this point you are better served by getting your study-practice material directly from the kinds of music that YOU want to play!