The Complete Scale Compendium for for Clarinet
by Larry Clark
Clarinet Solo - Sheet Music

Chamber Music Clarinet

SKU: CF.WF173

Composed by Larry Clark. Back To School. Student book. With Standard notation. 64 pages. Carl Fischer Music #WF173. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.WF173).

ISBN 9780825896866. UPC: 798408096861.

Scales, in one form or another, are the main basis of music. The mastery of scales and scalepatterns has long been established as the best way to improve technical abilities on all instruments.This collection, designed to be thorough but by no means exhaustive of all possibilities, focuseson what is most common in the study of classical music: core major and minor scales, as wellas chromatic, pentatonic, whole-tone and blues scales. Students will learn the constructionof these scales while practicing unique patterns, enriching both their minds and technique.Specific slurs and articulations have been left off of the exercises so that a multitude of differentarticulation and slur patterns can be used.Each key has been presented in a pedagogical sequence from easiest to most challenging,beginning with whole-note scales before patterns are introduced. As an added benefit, theexercises are presented in two ways: by scale pattern and by key. Teachers and students canorganize practice time to focus on learning new scales, or to master all scales in a single key.This unique approach suits different technical levels and will help build solid fundamentalswhile introducing theoretical principles. The Complete Scale Compendium is a perfect book fordeveloping technical facility and musicianship.
form or another. The mastery of scales and scale patterns has longbeen established as the best way to improve technical abilities onall of the instruments. This collection of scales and scale patternsis designed to be thorough, but by no means comprehensive. Thefocus of this book will be on what is most common in the studyof classical music, and that is major and minor scales, plus someother scales like the blues scale, major and minor pentatonic,whole-tone and chromatic scales. Jazz musicians have long usedthe study of modes as the basis for improvisation. This book willintroduce the modes of the major scale and the melodic-minorscale, but will not go into extensive patterns built around thesemodes. There are other books specifically focused on the studyof modes for use in Jazz music, and so this book will not makemodes the focus of this volume.It is the goal of this book to teach the student theconstruction of the common scales and then provide somepatterns for learning these scales in a variety of ways. Specificslurs and articulations have been left out of the exercises, soa multitude of different articulation and slur patterns can beused. Later, there will be articulation examples that can be usedwith each of the exercises, but this is only a starting point asthere are countless variations that can be developed to helpwith the mastery of these scales and scale patterns.Each key has been presented in a more or less pedagogicalsequence from the easiest to the most challenging, starting witha whole-note scale then moving on to more difficult patterns. Itis very important to start every exercise slowly at first, makingsure that you have complete mastery of the pattern beforeincreasing the tempo. Do this by using a metronome and thenincreasing the speed of the exercise a few clicks at a time, untilyou can play each of the exercises in every key at a quick tempowith smooth facility. If you find as you increase the tempo thatyou make mistakes or that your playing becomes uneven, thengo back to the start and work to make sure your technique isaccurate. Speed really does kill, and the worst thing you can dois to go too fast too soon.Each of the keys major and minor is presented in twodifferent ways. This author believes in the organization of thesetypes of exercises in the circle of fourths, starting with C, thenF, then B≤ etc. around the circle. Learning each of the scalepatterns in all twelve keys major and minor without stoppingis the best way to improve your technical abilities. There are,however, many teachers who believe that studying one keyat a time is a good way to master scales as well, and so thisbook has all of the major and minor scale patterns organizedboth ways: each exercise in all keys and all exercises by key.Both presentations are valid, and this book is unique in thatit includes the scale patterns in both ways. The special scales,such as blues, major and minor pentatonic, whole-tone andchromatics, are only presented with each exercise in all keyson one page.Minor scales in this book are presented in the melodic-minorform, because it covers two of the three forms of minor scaleswithin it: the melodic minor with a raised sixth and seventh scaledegrees when ascending and the natural minor (Aeolian) whendescending. It is suggested that you practice the minor-scaleexercises in all three forms of minor, including the harmonicform (raised seventh). You can accomplish this by playing theexercises as follows: 1. Natural minor: ignore all the accidentalson ascending scale, 2. Harmonic minor: ignore the accidental onthe sixth scale degree ascending and add the raised seventh scaledegree descending, 3. Melodic minor: play as written.With diligence and careful practice, the student canimprove greatly using the scales and exercises found inthis book. Again, go slowly at first and speed up only whenmastery has taken place. Mix up your routine so that you donot become bored during your practice sessions and use everypossible articulation and slurring pattern you can think of tobe as prepared for any music you will encounter in the future.There are no shortcuts to success when it comes to scales, justpersistent and careful study. Remember, practice doesn’t makeperfect, perfect practice makes perfect! Good luck.