My grandma and mom both played. They never got around to teaching me. I'm grateful for your time and energy you're putting in these videos. I feel like I'm connecting to my roots. Thank you❤
Thanks for the question. I mean to play the scale one octave up and down, one note per beat of the metronome, and to accent the beat (which means you would accent every note since every note is on the beat). Then play the scale two octaves, two notes per beat, accent on the beat (which means you would accent every other note since every other note is on the beat). This is briefly demonstrated at 10:21. It is also demonstrated completely in each of the scale videos.
Thank you for all of this sir. Started playing piano 5 months ago and been playing scales since the start and can play both minor and major going separate ways, I feel like there's something that I'm lacking and now that I saw this video, there's so much more to it in playing scales. I just played scales just for the sake of it but now knowing the advanced technique like applying accents, it gave me the motivation to do it again from the basics lol.
Thank you so much for these techniques, which help relaxation enormously & encourage working with the metronome. I was working my way through most of Faber's Scale Book 1 & the initial part of Faber's Scale Book 2, when I discovered your method a month ago. Going back to do the beginner & intermediate techniques for C & G major scales & arpeggios has made an enormous difference to steadying the beat, sustaining notes & even my beloved Czerny (he's so clever!) Opus 823 exercises (which I'm also going through at snail's pace) now sound more musical!
Thank you for this series on scales. Its slow going for me playing both hands together. Thinking about the third finger being synchronized and the thumb synchronized on the tonic is helping. Working on building the muscle memory so it comes more naturally. The pattern of the fingers between the two hands is tough right now. Working on it. I'm 59 so getting a bit of a late start. :)
Yup. Getting the hands to work together has been a struggle for me, too. There is so much in the music that can happen, doing the scales is a good practice for this. Go slow and you'll be fine.
Just discovered you on you tube 11/6/17 and love your laid back teaching. I am also a teacher at 80 yrs of age. Also a concert violinist and taught and played in concert orchestras since 17 yrs of age. Great teaching to hammer scales into all those young musicians coming on the music scene. LIKE YOUR STYLE (what ever) ......
Welcome. I've had the opportunity to accompany a few retired college music professors and it's been a huge help to me as it opened up a bunch of new literature to play. I enjoy playing the piano part of violin sonatas a lot.
I’m a new subscriber. I just want to thank you for deciding to get into youtube world and for all the effort sharing your knowledge. It feels like i have a teacher right now 😊
Thank you very much Mr. Gale! Your channel is so helpful and I'm glad I discovered it. Also thank you for your scales and arpeggios videos. I will try them out 👍🏼
I've been watching your videos. They are very helpful...Thanks so much. I wanted to ask what kind of metronome is used in your videos....I like the light. I think the light would be more helpful and less distracting than sound.
My metronome used in the videos is a Cherub, model WMT-220. It is an old one and not available anymore. Actually, the lights are not very helpful. Most metronomes come with a light that flashes with the beat as well as an audible click. You can turn off the click if you want. That is better.
Thank you for the clear explanation - very helpful. Is it a good idea to also practice scales (and chords & arpeggios) while looking at the written notes to help with recognizing when found in pieces, or should scales (and chords & arpeggios) simply be memorized and practiced without referring to how they look when written?
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Gale, I am so glad I found you here and I should say after every lessen I go to your related video and I enjoy your lesson. Your way is fun, easy to follow and very clear. Thank you million times.
Is that your surname or your given name? You are actually making a name for yourself, whether you think so or not! 😅😅 I am loving what I have learned in a couple of weeks from your course on the Kenneth Baker books. Now, I am interested in your approach and advice on doing/learning/practising scales.
Firstly I have to say thankyou for all your helpful videos, I have used them to work my way through Alfred's Adult Course level 1 and 2. I visit a piano instructor when I can, but only every 1-2 months, so these videos really help me progress. I have a question for you regarding scale practice. Right now I feel confident enough playing major and minor scales across two octaves, with both hands like you have demonstrated in your videos. I am reading that I should now begin working on playing these scales in 3rds and 6ths? I am confused with how to do this properly, or if it's even what I should be learning next when it comes to scales. What would you recommend to do next if my end goal is to be able to play classical piano?
I've never actually practiced scales in thirds or 6ths. I found that in practicing the scales in the advanced pattern as shown in my videos, that made it easy for me to play in 3rds or 6ths when needed. So, I recommend using the advanced pattern (4 octaves in parallel and contrary motion) and sticking with that. Remember to keep them slow.
Can you suggest a really good book for this? I purchased Alfred's Basic Piano Library. The Complete Book of Scales, chords, Arpeddios & Cadences but it all looks confusing and slightly intimidating right now. Do you follow a book with these lessons?
When in the learning process would you recommend to learn the scales? :) is there a specific point where it makes more sense or doesn't it matter? (I'm studying with the Alfred's book 1 and I'm at page 50.)
I know it feels strange, but you can do both at the same time. Go really slow. The rotation is very small, but the wrist drops need to be big at first. You can also leave out the rotation. Not everyone does that.
than you very much been looking for a good piano teacher. reminds me of when I was talking piano in college and this is proper or even better than what I have been taught
if I'm still confused is there another video to watch. Relearning as an adult and never learned this as a kid. I understand to a point but then I get confused
Enjoying doing the scales using the Circle of Fifths concept. I was struggling with just memorizing scales and cords. My brain likes patterns and order. As soon as I recognized the pattern of increasing sharps, I've been able to practice one and two octives (C,G,D,A,E,B) with the corresponding cords fairly easily. I know you recommended that beginners do just one octave and four sharps but I've been having so much fun I got carried away. I just re-watched to this video and see you recommend learning the relative minor scales with the major. Oh dear.
Good questions! Some people don't see any need to learn the scales. I have found the hard way that it helps a lot. Practicing the scales allows me to practice technique stuff without having to work on notes so much. Knowing the scales lets me play the correct sharps and flats in the key without having to think about them much. It is up to you. You can try it both ways, but I still encourage people to learn the scales.
This makes sense to me, although I am working my way through your lesson on Kenneth Baker Book 1 and focusing on learning to sight read, as you say. If I keep practising scales as well, majors and minors, it will build muscle memory for notes when I see them written.
Not sure you can get my message, but I have a question about practice scale. I am practice C Major and A Minor Scale at the moment, the fingering alternates between 123 and 1234. Due to its inconsistency, I tend to mess up quite easily. Each time I mess it up it builds the wrong muscle memory, and then causes mess up even more. I am on a vicious cycle now. How can I work it out? During practice, do I need to be very conscious about which key is for 3 vs 4? If I do, the key changes for A Minor and get all confused again. There must be a better way to practice this thing. Your help is highly appreciated. Thanks! Robert
This is a common problem when first learning scales. I suggest you concentrate more on which notes the thumb plays and only play one hand at a time until the fingering is more automatic. Go really slow! Patience will pay off...eventually.
I don't use a method book for how I approach scales and arpeggios. It is the method my last piano professor in college used and was the most effective for me in learning to play with control. So, I have always used it with my students.
I have a general question: I have noticed that when I learn a piece (basically measure by measure), I always manage to get the first parts ok but the last few measures take the longest to get right. I have also tried to do the problematic last parts separately repeatedly and then join it in, but it still causes problems. Is this natural or is there a more efficient way of doing it? I hope I have been clear
It is interesting that you find the end of each piece difficult. I suggest you use the same approach I teach in my videos. Do each hand one at a time to make sure you can play that OK and the fingering is OK, then put the hands together. Also, try to think more in terms of musical sentences, or phrases, instead of measures. Try to play each phrase as one unit of thought, like when talking in sentences are one thought.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Musical sentences makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you very much. I think this will help me. It is really very nice to be able ask such questions to someone like yourself. I am self taught (adult) and for me your help is invaluable.
I am not sure what book you are referring to. You can start the scales when the method book you use introduces them or when I suggest them in the video lessons.
That is what I am referring to. Some teacher want you to do C scale first than G right of the bat. I know that Alfred Library has a compete book of chords, scales and arpeggios. Should I start where the lesson book introduces them or get the complete book in the Alfred's Library?
I consider you my teacher, so I'm taking your recommendation! My teachers never explained anything in this much detail. Thanks for the great video.
You're welcome!
So looking forward to this scale practice.
My grandma and mom both played. They never got around to teaching me. I'm grateful for your time and energy you're putting in these videos. I feel like I'm connecting to my roots. Thank you❤
You're welcome!
Thanks for your videos. The amount of content and quality in this channel is amazing. Greetings from Colombia.
You’re welcome.
I am beyond thankful I found your channel....I just started as an adult so this is very helpful.
Thanks for the question. I mean to play the scale one octave up and down, one note per beat of the metronome, and to accent the beat (which means you would accent every note since every note is on the beat). Then play the scale two octaves, two notes per beat, accent on the beat (which means you would accent every other note since every other note is on the beat). This is briefly demonstrated at 10:21. It is also demonstrated completely in each of the scale videos.
You are a great teacher. Thank you sir 🙏
You are welcome.
Thanks a lot for your tutorials! They are very helpful to me!
You're welcome!
Thank you for all of this sir. Started playing piano 5 months ago and been playing scales since the start and can play both minor and major going separate ways, I feel like there's something that I'm lacking and now that I saw this video, there's so much more to it in playing scales. I just played scales just for the sake of it but now knowing the advanced technique like applying accents, it gave me the motivation to do it again from the basics lol.
You're welcome.
I think this may be just what I need to teach my fingers to dance! Thank you again:-)
You're welcome!
Thank you so much for these techniques, which help relaxation enormously & encourage working with the metronome. I was working my way through most of Faber's Scale Book 1 & the initial part of Faber's Scale Book 2, when I discovered your method a month ago. Going back to do the beginner & intermediate techniques for C & G major scales & arpeggios has made an enormous difference to steadying the beat, sustaining notes & even my beloved Czerny (he's so clever!) Opus 823 exercises (which I'm also going through at snail's pace) now sound more musical!
You are welcome.
Thank you for this series on scales. Its slow going for me playing both hands together. Thinking about the third finger being synchronized and the thumb synchronized on the tonic is helping. Working on building the muscle memory so it comes more naturally. The pattern of the fingers between the two hands is tough right now. Working on it.
I'm 59 so getting a bit of a late start. :)
Yup. Getting the hands to work together has been a struggle for me, too. There is so much in the music that can happen, doing the scales is a good practice for this. Go slow and you'll be fine.
I never actually understood the circle of fifths until I saw this demonstration.
Thank you for all your videos. They are VERY helpful!
You're welcome!
Just discovered you on you tube 11/6/17 and love your laid back teaching. I am also a teacher at 80 yrs of age. Also a concert violinist and taught and played in concert orchestras since 17 yrs of age. Great teaching to hammer scales into all those young musicians coming on the music scene. LIKE YOUR STYLE (what ever) ......
Welcome. I've had the opportunity to accompany a few retired college music professors and it's been a huge help to me as it opened up a bunch of new literature to play. I enjoy playing the piano part of violin sonatas a lot.
I find your instructions and methods to be the best from all other you tube authors.
very helpful video thanks
Thank you, Alfred. Got it! I'm so glad I discovered you. :)
You're welcome, but I'm not Alfred, I'm Gale. :)
Hahahahahahaha
Thanks!
You are welcome. And thank you.
I’m a new subscriber. I just want to thank you for deciding to get into youtube world and for all the effort sharing your knowledge. It feels like i have a teacher right now 😊
You are welcome!
Thank you very much Mr. Gale!
Your channel is so helpful and I'm glad I discovered it. Also thank you for your scales and arpeggios videos. I will try them out 👍🏼
You are welcome. I encourage you to take your time with the scales and arpeggios.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!!!
You're welcome.
thanks so much!
You're welcome!
Really interesting video, keep up the good work!
I've been watching your videos. They are very helpful...Thanks so much. I wanted to ask what kind of metronome is used in your videos....I like the light. I think the light would be more helpful and less distracting than sound.
My metronome used in the videos is a Cherub, model WMT-220. It is an old one and not available anymore. Actually, the lights are not very helpful. Most metronomes come with a light that flashes with the beat as well as an audible click. You can turn off the click if you want. That is better.
Thank you for the clear explanation - very helpful. Is it a good idea to also practice scales (and chords & arpeggios) while looking at the written notes to help with recognizing when found in pieces, or should scales (and chords & arpeggios) simply be memorized and practiced without referring to how they look when written?
You are welcome. I have not found any advantage to using music. It is easy to recognize scales when they appear in the music without much effort.
Thanks for clearing up some misunderstandings.
You're welcome.
don't know your name, but I hooked on to your videos and I like your technics. thank you so much
You are welcome. I don't push my name since I am not trying to make a name for myself here. It is Gale.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Gale, I am so glad I found you here and I should say after every lessen I go to your related video and I enjoy your lesson.
Your way is fun, easy to follow and very clear.
Thank you million times.
Is that your surname or your given name? You are actually making a name for yourself, whether you think so or not!
😅😅 I am loving what I have learned in a couple of weeks from your course on the Kenneth Baker books.
Now, I am interested in your approach and advice on doing/learning/practising scales.
This guys awesome
Firstly I have to say thankyou for all your helpful videos, I have used them to work my way through Alfred's Adult Course level 1 and 2. I visit a piano instructor when I can, but only every 1-2 months, so these videos really help me progress.
I have a question for you regarding scale practice. Right now I feel confident enough playing major and minor scales across two octaves, with both hands like you have demonstrated in your videos. I am reading that I should now begin working on playing these scales in 3rds and 6ths? I am confused with how to do this properly, or if it's even what I should be learning next when it comes to scales. What would you recommend to do next if my end goal is to be able to play classical piano?
I've never actually practiced scales in thirds or 6ths. I found that in practicing the scales in the advanced pattern as shown in my videos, that made it easy for me to play in 3rds or 6ths when needed. So, I recommend using the advanced pattern (4 octaves in parallel and contrary motion) and sticking with that. Remember to keep them slow.
Haha I love your sass Gale! 😄
Can you suggest a really good book for this? I purchased Alfred's Basic Piano Library. The Complete Book of Scales, chords, Arpeddios & Cadences but it all looks confusing and slightly intimidating right now. Do you follow a book with these lessons?
I have not found a book on scales that I like. I prefer to focus on the hands and the keyboard and not use music notation for these.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods - Thank you so much. I love your videos. Yours are the best.
I've watched the videos where you taught songs. Yu look so different with your glasses off! 😋😋
When in the learning process would you recommend to learn the scales? :) is there a specific point where it makes more sense or doesn't it matter? (I'm studying with the Alfred's book 1 and I'm at page 50.)
The books usually introduce each scale so I wait until they do that. You can start the C major scale any time you want.
Thank you. I am on Book 1 by Baker and this is something I will be learning later. I have opened the wrong thread 😅😊
Excellent videos.
how to combine forearm rotation with dropping wrist while practising scales?
I know it feels strange, but you can do both at the same time. Go really slow. The rotation is very small, but the wrist drops need to be big at first. You can also leave out the rotation. Not everyone does that.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Thanks a lot for the advice :D
than you very much been looking for a good piano teacher. reminds me of when I was talking piano in college and this is proper or even better than what I have been taught
also do you recommend any bass teachers that has similar teaching styles as yourself?
No, I don't know of any bass teachers available. You would have to Google it, I guess.
Hello from Lakin Kansas
Hello.
15:26
my thoughts as well
if I'm still confused is there another video to watch. Relearning as an adult and never learned this as a kid. I understand to a point but then I get confused
My question is not related to scales - is there a video where you discuss how to play or provide an introduction to grace notes? Thanks. Barbara
I only discuss grace notes in those lessons that have them. There is no dedicated video on ornamentation.
Great ... Thank you!
You're welcome.
Could you possibly download the Michael Aaron Grade 2 book?
Yes. I have the book since it has been requested already. I will make sure it gets uploaded in 2021. Sorry for the delay.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Thank you.
Enjoying doing the scales using the Circle of Fifths concept. I was struggling with just memorizing scales and cords. My brain likes patterns and order. As soon as I recognized the pattern of increasing sharps, I've been able to practice one and two octives (C,G,D,A,E,B) with the corresponding cords fairly easily. I know you recommended that beginners do just one octave and four sharps but I've been having so much fun I got carried away.
I just re-watched to this video and see you recommend learning the relative minor scales with the major. Oh dear.
Glad to hear that you're enjoying the scales so far. Good luck on the minor scales.
Why do we need to learn scale.
How do you apply it if you play a music?
Good questions! Some people don't see any need to learn the scales. I have found the hard way that it helps a lot. Practicing the scales allows me to practice technique stuff without having to work on notes so much. Knowing the scales lets me play the correct sharps and flats in the key without having to think about them much. It is up to you. You can try it both ways, but I still encourage people to learn the scales.
This makes sense to me, although I am working my way through your lesson on Kenneth Baker Book 1 and focusing on learning to sight read, as you say.
If I keep practising scales as well, majors and minors, it will build muscle memory for notes when I see them written.
Not sure you can get my message, but I have a question about practice scale.
I am practice C Major and A Minor Scale at the moment, the fingering alternates between 123 and 1234. Due to its inconsistency, I tend to mess up quite easily. Each time I mess it up it builds the wrong muscle memory, and then causes mess up even more.
I am on a vicious cycle now. How can I work it out?
During practice, do I need to be very conscious about which key is for 3 vs 4? If I do, the key changes for A Minor and get all confused again. There must be a better way to practice this thing. Your help is highly appreciated. Thanks! Robert
This is a common problem when first learning scales. I suggest you concentrate more on which notes the thumb plays and only play one hand at a time until the fingering is more automatic. Go really slow! Patience will pay off...eventually.
Who are your personal favorite composers to listen to and play?
That is a hard question. Chopin for piano, and several for orchestra.
I can only say: "Grazie!" :o)
You are welcome.
Hello, Which method book are you working from to correspond with these lessons? Thank you for all you in advance!
I don't use a method book for how I approach scales and arpeggios. It is the method my last piano professor in college used and was the most effective for me in learning to play with control. So, I have always used it with my students.
I have a general question: I have noticed that when I learn a piece (basically measure by measure), I always manage to get the first parts ok but the last few measures take the longest to get right. I have also tried to do the problematic last parts separately repeatedly and then join it in, but it still causes problems. Is this natural or is there a more efficient way of doing it? I hope I have been clear
It is interesting that you find the end of each piece difficult. I suggest you use the same approach I teach in my videos. Do each hand one at a time to make sure you can play that OK and the fingering is OK, then put the hands together. Also, try to think more in terms of musical sentences, or phrases, instead of measures. Try to play each phrase as one unit of thought, like when talking in sentences are one thought.
@@LetsPlayPianoMethods Musical sentences makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you very much. I think this will help me. It is really very nice to be able ask such questions to someone like yourself. I am self taught (adult) and for me your help is invaluable.
Hi. May I ask what do you mean with "accent every note"? Mentioned at around 9:09. Thanks!
Additional question: also what you mean with "accent on the beat" mentioned at around 9:20
Accent means playing a bit louder. Accents (playing louder) on beats makes one aware of tempo.
Do I start with the book or with scales?
I am not sure what book you are referring to. You can start the scales when the method book you use introduces them or when I suggest them in the video lessons.
That is what I am referring to. Some teacher want you to do C scale first than G right of the bat. I know that Alfred Library has a compete book of chords, scales and arpeggios. Should I start where the lesson book introduces them or get the complete book in the Alfred's Library?
Sir. Do you teach online? Please let me know...
No. I don't give one-on-one lessons anymore. I just have this channel for lessons.
Why doesn't he do Adult Piano Adventures All In One Book (Faber) ???
Nobody requested it.