I was on a classical guitar forum the other day and one of the members made a comment to the effect of not knowing why they have wasted so much time practicing scales. Apparently, if I remember correctly, he moved away from practicing scales altogether. I don't think Flamenco guitar players can get away from practicing scales, but it got me thinking about the scales I do practice. Should I practice standard modes up and down the neck? Segovia scales? Chromatic scales? Are they of any practical use, or should I only focus on the scales I play in falsetas. How do you all practice scales and what do you practice?

We spoke about this in the Warming up thread recently.

Actualy playing scales is a variable thing. If I've got to go the factory the next day I'll just play a few basic shapes and some arpeggios and then start working, but my Saturday afternoon session will start with about an hour's worth of scales, arpeggios, chords and cadences from my DipLCM book. That way, I keep myself ticking over during the week and then do some serious work at weekends. At orchestra rehearsals, I'll play a few scales as though it was a midweek session, and then start working the complicated parts of the orchestra repertoire for that day.

So, I can play two octave major, harmonic and melodic minor and chromatic scales in any key and some in a couple of fretboard positions, and in three octaves from E to A; two or three octave major, minor, dominant and diminished arpeggios off any tonic; major, minor dominant chords in every key; all four cadences in every key.

Does it help me, being able to do all this? Maybe, it means I'm properly wamred up to play, it certainly came in handy as part of my Grade Exams in Classical Guitar where it was part of the syllabus, and it means I can locate any note somewhere other than open position whenever I need it, but does it help me play a Rasgueado or a Remata? Does it help me properly time in a golpe with a tresillos? Nope, not at all. Skill in those comes from regular practise of those specific items


Alan

I play (or attempt to play ) old school flamenco only so I practice only the A, Am, Bd, and E scales. I also practice (octaves) using the descending E scale. Practicing numerous scales using a classical approach sure can't hurt and may help, but remember to practice them using a rest stroke if you want them to be of value when you play flamenco.

I would have to say of course, do what you do and don't worry about to the extent that it keeps you from being creative with your routine. People say a lot of things and it's kind of like gambling to do what this book says or that person said, although feedback is wonderful. You are the musician and it's totally up to you, and the greatest advice is to learn as much as you can about what you can do and make time for the things that you really need to do. Sometimes your routine needs a little change or a lot of change, and the one thing that I have learned is that note taking is a great help, even if it's just a helpful reminder to do something that you thought of or putting something on stave that you want to remember.

And if you are taking lessons or have a master or teacher or learn in a scolastic setting you've got to go with the program and keep up the personal work as well. I try to be independant even when I am learning something from someone or somewhere, like this forum. I guess that would mean the hard and fast rule is that your music always changes in some way and you have to keep aware of that and do what it takes. And remember, there is no magic routine that is going to stand alone and make you able to get at the guitar with out constantly updating it, and then, it wouldn't be a magic routine after all, and nobody has a simple answer that works well in every situation, or for every guitarist.
Gary