I always hated practising scales when I was younger. What I love about these videos is that they inspire me to play. I'll never like practising scales but at least I'll now do it with a more positive mindset. And thanks for the tip about double holes!
As someone with barely any formal music training, I feel scales are so important! Ear training, muscle memory, music reading.... all the things you said!❤
One scale pattern I learned for group work is to have half the players play the scale 1...8...1...8...1 and the rest of the group to play the same scale, but start after the first group has played two notes. Most of the time you will be playing in thirds, except for the unison 7. At the end the first group holds the last note until the second group joins them. Usually when I have done this we have the two groups mixed up rather than sitting together as separate groups. This is really good for intonation and especially on how to tune thirds together.
I studied music/clarinet in college, and never liked playing scales and arpeggios. I took up recorder a year ago and I think the suggestions in this video make that part of playing much more interesting. Thank you as always Sarah, and Happy New Year
Very valuable viewpoints. I normally tell my piano pupils that in any melody, you really just have two chocices for the notes: either they lie side by side and then we are talking about a scale, or they do not lie side by side, and we´re talking about an arpeggio. Even if we´re only moving one note. Scales and arpeggios are the two legs on wich music walks. I always teach C major starting from the pattern of root-TTS TTTS (tones and semitones) and then as we advance, I apply this formula on other keys and show how we must alter some notes to fit into this pattern. It is great to have the pupils play something simple like "jingle bells" only on the white keys but starting first on D (it turns into a minor piece and by slowing down speed and adding some chords I can turn it into a funeral dirge) and then in B (it sounds just downright weird). This is a fantastic way to show why we must add the alterations, to correct those notes that fall outside. Then it is very simple to understand why G has one sharp, F one flat, and so on. I rely heavily on the Circle of Fifths because there you see very easily how the keys progress from easy to hard. I The approach with the intervals is also a very valuable tool to learn the modes because basically they are all variations of the major and the natural minor scale. So I think of the Phrygian mode as a major scale with the raised 4th and the Mixolydian mode as a major scale with a flattened 7. At least for me this makes learning the modes in other keys very simple. Now, to translate all this to the recorder will be quite a challenge... if we get to lock down Spain again I think I would hardly notice...
I keep coming back to the Rooda books "Dexterity Exercises and Dances" whenever I've had a long layoff. Same book for C and F recorders, exercises, scales, some fun pieces. They were also my parents' basic exercise books.
@@rab0664 Yep, and the French for scale is échelle, which again means ladder - but they also use the word "gamme", which has nothing to do with ladders at all; it's derived from the Greek gamma, the third letter of the alphabet (it's a long story...)
Thank you! There are also the different ways of grouping notes: sixteenth notes, dotted eighth note + sixteenth note, sixteenth note + dotted eighth note, triplets, notes + rests, etc.
@Christiaan Baron Yes, and he shares so much of his work on YT. I'm using his Comprehensive New Method books for descant and alto. Such a wealth of pieces for practice.
Ah, dat is een goed idee, om de bijbehorende toonladder van een stuk eerst te spelen. Ik ga dat van nu af aan toepassen wanneer ik ga studeren. Bedankt!
As I realized that creativity and learning new things is really the one thing that makes me happy in life I started with music although my music teachers at school always told me i have no talent at all neither with reading sheet music nor with singing and playing an instrument. now after roughly one month of piano keyboard i can play several waltz pieces from sheet music. and i discovered your brilliant and inspiring channel. and i started with the recorder as i also wanted to play a non electronic easy to transport instrument. keep up your great work sarah, for all of us who love doing creative things.
One of your statements created a question in my mind. You mentioned that your friend learned the scales by interval. " Tone. tone, semitone" This is also how I learned all of the mode, major, minor, synthetic scales etc but I dont think ,"tone tone. semitone". I SEE the interval. I am a bassist/violone player however and on a stringed instrument or keyboard you can actually see the interval on the fingerboard or keyboard. By the time I came to brass and recorder it was already ingrained so I never gave this a second thought. I wonder what your friend would say. I have taught fingerboard visualization for many years. I don't teach any of the winds but I do teach theory. You have me thinking about how I do that. I love your content. Cheers!
The interesting thing here to me is the difference in approach to learning scales. Knowing the whole step/ half step pattern of the major or minor scale makes it easy to move around on instruments like the Bass Guitar( my primary instrument). I learned the finger patter of the Major scale in closed position (meaning I don't use open strings) and I can move it anywhere on the fret board thus changing the key. With an instrument like the recorder where there is a different fingering for each note I can see where actually knowing the Key signature would be easier.
I know it's been long time since this video but i learned from my experiance trying to play irish tin whistle that once you learn how to play scales on your recorder that after that sky is the limit of what you can play. Even if you can't read notes like me you can still play anything so you can like me listen and watch how fingers of somebody move who knows how to play.
Amazing, 23 hours online and no dislike! Great video, I don't really like playing scales, (I play the piano and not the recorder) but I will go and do a bit of scale practice...
I wonder whether English "scale" is related to Italian "scala" which is the Italian word for "scale" and means... ladder - also stairs, stairway. Hello Sarah, nice video as alway. I'm all for having fun when studying, but I think it's about making necessary things fun and not only doing the fun things. I think music is fun but commitment is necessary too and the sooner you learn to love your exercises, the better. As a singer, I love my warm ups. They are boring as ***, of course, but you feel your voice going from raspy, throaty and dim to flexible and brilliant. You can actually work on your tone and on your breath, without having to worry about all other aspects that make up a piece. It really pays off in the long run.
I am teaching my 8yo grand daughter both piano and recorder and she loves loves loves doing scales. I also include a short arpeggio at the end of each scale. This helps you recognize patterns in music without even thinking about it
I'm a jazz, blues, and big band sax player and I haven't yet played a piece that doesn't need scales, scale fragments, arpeggios or broken arpeggios. Go for it, it's like running or doing laps, great for your musical health and a lovely sonic meditation if you do them very slowly and savour each note with its unique sound (unless you're a keyboard player!).
Another informative video, thank you, Sarah! Practicing scales helped me learn the notes on the recorder and learn pieces of music by ear and by heart. I can't always identify the notes, but it makes things a lot easier. Thank you Mr. Malecki! Awesome violin teacher! Your training is still with me. I also use Alexa echo dot to find random scales to practice. I will sometimes try to figure it out first, then check if I was correct or hear what I missed. 👂🎼🎶🎵
I don't play recorder, but I can say scales are super helpful. I practice scales everyday and it helps me learn my fingerboard/fretboard (I play violin and electric bass) they also just let you focus on and improve your technique. It also makes music a lot easier. Especially for sightreading since you know what notes to expect and what type of runs there may be.
Mixolydian #11 confirmed ! → 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7. I'm a guitar player (and I love your videos!) and I see every scale as a mode, and every one of them by degrees. It help me a lot to visualized, with my ears, what it should sound, as a flat 2 have a particular sound, a second, a flat third, a third, and so on. And more than that, each degree have a particular harmonic fonction, which I like to keep in mind. So yeah, scales, and modes, are awesome !
Thanks loads for this. It’s really helped, scales have been something that’s confused me for a while. I def have more questions 😂 but you have inspired me to seek out further work on scales, going to get some books... I really want to advance my playing 😊👌
2 года назад
Ouh!!! Fantastic video. You have a lot of reason, great explanation.
Hi Sarah, thank u soo so much for the first and second recorder lessons,it was super helpful for me and i believe that it was helpful for the others also but i recommend more recorder lessons. Thank You.
You are so brilliant teaching the recorder, besides you looks so beautiful and cute! I like you very much! That's right to practice the scales...I just know some few at the recorder flute...and now I feel motivated to practice them all! What I do, I write the notes from a easy songbook and I write the lowest note of that particular song to the highest note and I practice them. So that way, I will practice the digitization as well. Then once I know my scale path then is easier to read it and play it with the different clefs.. greetings from Tijuana, Mexico!.
I also play the Baroque flute, and I use an exercise book which I have also found useful for the recorder: "Back to Basics: A practice book for the Baroque flute," by Anja Thomann. Now given the plethora of books written for the recorder, I recognize this book would be complementary. However, what I like about this book is that the exercises are based on historical sources (de Lusse, Quantz and Corrette) and are very approachable. You can adapt the exercises to your own level and creative goals. There is also a nice set of préludes in all keys, so you can attune yourself to a particular key, though as written they would have to be played on a voice flute or tenor recorder (or soprano recorder if you want to go the "piccolo" route).
I love your videos Sarah! I use your videos with my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at my award winning charter school in Las Vegas NV. That's about 300 students! This video is packed with wisdom and talent! Thank you so much for posting great content. I'm learning Off to California, I've got a ways to go and I have level 2 Orff training.
Can I saw how beautiful your colours are today? Your hair - recorder; your sweater top-lipstick combinations. Great informational video also. I need to do more scales.
Great video! Thanks, as always, for the musical ideas-broken scales, yes! Even though I play flute, I always enjoy watching your videos. You have great energy and always very positive. Sooo important! :)
Thanks a lot!!! I'm so glad your channel and videos exists! I just started recorder a few months ago, and still don't know how to read notes, nor the notes I play on my recorder. I think this is where I should start!
I initially thought you said "larder" rather than ladder. Heh, well larder makes sense too, it is the store of notes you draw from primarily for melody, harmony, constructing chords and learning your scales, their degrees and intervals how chords are constructed and fit together and even how this can be used to make key changes and modal interchange more interesting. It helps explain why key signatures and accidentals are a thing, including why B# and E# Cb and Fb and double flats/sharps are a thing and in essence let me then (on violin/guitar at least) completely ignore the key signature, knowing that once my hand is in the correct position for the key and I know whether it's major, minor or one of the other heptatonic or pentatonic scales I've committed to memory, that my fingers are already covering the correct notes and all I have to do is watch out for accidentals. Even on purely melody instruments, this helps you to know what works well and what should be used for embellishment, they are far more interesting and useful than many know! Once you know how to get whole and half steps on an instrument and the scale patterns, things become FAR more intuitive, no longer am I mechanically reading guitar tabs, I am understanding how scales and keys work, how they relate, how intuitive sheet music is and applying it not just to guitar, but my 4 recorders and my violin, it always mystified me how my brother could pick up new instruments and play them reasonably after a few weeks, especially when I struggled with guitar for years and he learned it better than I in a month, I didn't know how valuable theory like this was and until I did, I could never have dreamed of playing guitar well or picking up another instrument.
Scale, scale, scale. But once I saw them like a training material and not only doing scales for the sake of doing scale, they became much more useful in my head. Especially to get a framework for improvising. Pre-Question: I like your style of video and Iv'e learned a lot about the recorder. Not only that, but about woodwind in general too. The question: Would you make a video about what it's like to play with other instruments from the recorder point of view? Especially with a pan flute because I know you did play with some. I am a pan flute player and in my country there is not body to ask that question as the pan pipe is non-existent.. (Canada) Thanks! Keep up the good work!
You can also call mixolydian #11 a "lydian dominant." I think that's a more Barry Harris-ish way of thinking of and naming things. Very nice for a dominant chord with a #11.
Nothing cheesy about it feeling like an extension. I instantly merge with any instrument or vehicle like that. They are a part of me. Vehicle? Yes, I feel the texture of the road surface. Instrument? It's another organ with which I choose to "speak". Keep cracking on those metaphors, because they're true!
Great info on scales. I find the hardest part of Bach's Partita Allemande is the C minor scale from C to low F in measure 11, having to slide finger 6 back and forth between half hole and whole hole. I wonder if powder can be used to slide more easily.
Someone suggested that a tiny bit of cornstarch on the tip of finger 6 makes it easy to slide between half hole and whole hole. I tried it and it works! It is now easy to play low B-flat to A-flat to G.
5:29 octatonic scales! I've heard of it but never heard it. Started trying it out the moment I heard you play it. Now I'm thinking "I bet I could construct triads out of it and turn to a piece".
Jazz musicians also call this a "diminished" scale, because it's made of two dimished 7th chords half a step apart, or one diminished chord with a half-step grace note below each one. However you prefer to think of it.
@@theglobalflutestudio8570 Huh. That's a really cool and interesting way to see it. I actually made an instrumental out of the triad chords and noticed pretty much all the chords are diminished chords.
I'm such an absolute beginner! I have no idea what all this "major/minor" business is all about. I did manage to figure out how to consistently hit the high C on my alto though. Now for the sharps and flats.
kelanth462 major and minor keys are basically happy/sad(or scary) keys. That’s how I learnt it anyway. I’d recommend ordering a music theory book off of amazon aswell if you can. They aren’t too expensive (only around £7-8) and will lead you through the basics of music. Make sure to add beginner or “grade one” though!
@@CyndiCalista Absolutely! I have moved on from the alto to a Yamaha tenor since there is so much more music that I can play with it. I got a couple of Irish whistles (C and D) for Christmas which is going to be a whole new adventure. Here's a sample: ruclips.net/video/M2dw2p38TQg/видео.htmlsi=y9duDtFMz6HXvbCM
E major has 4 sharps and not 3 like you said! Scales are my favourite, whenever I'm bored I'll try to find out what the key signature is of a certain scale and what the chords are... I'm currently trying to learn the other modes, a lot of fun.
If you're a beginner thinking of giving the 'high notes with the bottom hole closed' (!!) a miss, then I would recommend that you search out Sarah's video on the subject. I was one such person but that video was so much fun that I am now a confirmed aficionado of the a fore mentioned technique. I also avoided losing some teeth! Check it out and go for it....there's no way I would have without that encouragement and instruction..I bet it works for you! Cheers.
Yes, practice scales. It's like EAT YOUR VEGETABLES. They are just that good for you. The best improvement I found was to my muscle memory. I have developed what I call "practical scales" that entrain the patterns of accidentals for every key without having to over think about it. How does it help? How is it practical? I use my recorder to mostly assist my vocal training. So I learn the song by playing it on the instrument. But many times I want to change the key that it's in as many vocalists do. Knowing the relationship between the original scale and the new scale kicks in almost automatically. I find I can usually play in the new key with all the correct accidentals without thinking. Because I have practiced the different scales so often the different key is entrained.
I learn so much watching you! Do you have any tips on transposing while reading? I’m taking a class in a few weeks and have to sight transpose. If you’ve made a video on this topic, can you direct me to it?
When I was at University in the early 1970s my teacher said learn all your scales and arpeggios and western classical music is yours. Of course I took no notice then. I’m nearly seventy now so Sarah, I’d better make a start...
I enjoyed this video and have watched it a few times already. the book with scales that you recommend by Hans Ulrich Staeps (took me a while to figure that out) is as old as I am. And I am older than dirt. I know that scales have not changed over time, but perhaps you, or someone brave enough to read through the over 100 comments already, can recommend a more recently published scale book...
Another great video, and again I am in awe of your skill. Is there anything you can't play? Anything that scares you? I mean, you made flight of the bumble look like a walk in the park!
10:20 I can understand why F# major on the recorder would be your least favorite. It has, after all, six sharps in the key signature. But what about C# major? It has all of the sharps found in F# major plus B# (which is C natural). 😉 And then there’s the Cb major scale. It has seven flats in its key signature. Lest we forget. 😢
I cant quite figure out if you're calling them those names as a joke, or if its just you calling them the flipped enharmonic spelling to my preference as a band student that's wigging me out. Like I know orchestra prefers sharps to flats, but naming it that way actually changes how its written. Because the way you spell it matters. With note naming conventions, the notes have to go alphabetical, so choosing to name them a certain way could force you to read numerous double sharps or something, which seems... ew.
@@skytower1662 I don't know quite understand your inquiry. BTW: My post was not intended to be facetious. It's nice to know, nonetheless, at least one person is reading my comments on the big World Wide Web. It seems apparent Sarah never does. 😢 I do wish you well my friend. 🙏
@@christophertsiliacos8958 Thats why I myself wasn't sure, because you didn't have a joking tone but I learned on a concert pitch instrument, meaning it was Gb, and Db, which with the flat spelling was quite easy to read on my instrument (oboe), but reading it with the sharp spelling would be very complex. My brain basically shut down trying to think of it, but I've also seen then the flat spelling for a decade.
Sarah, I forgot to ask you this question. Do you prefer you scales to measure in pounds, kilograms, or stones beside the usual C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, and back to the octave C?
Octagonic scales ? Wow I learned something new today. Heard of major and minor pentatonic for Guitar, Dorian mode, melodic minor But why it goes up one way and down another?
Hey, great video! I just got my recorder and I'm learning the basics. I'm curious, is it possible to learn music theory just with a recorder? Like I don't have a piano. I heard piano is better to understand theory
Or you can just learn basic music theory along with modes and the circle of fifths. Bam! Now you don't need to look at charts anymore and (virtually) don't need to remember all the notes of each and every scale. You still have to practice them tho, but learning the theory will help you tremendously. Michel New makes videos on music theory and the circle of fifths are very good and later you guys can check out Charles Cornell's video on modes. Happy to help. Peace :)
14:20 and slightly before it: This is why I don't play the recorder anymore, and just stay in my lane as a violinist. Maybe again in the future, but because the recorder is not relevant in my life (at all) and I want to stay away from that leg fingering, but to just wait later. Sorry Sarah, no recorder for a bit. But I'll say this, at least I know where to go for when I'm ready again.
Since watching your channel I now have two sopranos, one Alto, one tenor recorders. 😍
once I tried playing the recorder for the first time at the tender age of 66 I realised just how brilliant you are!🤣
you do have a way of making a “boring” subject , like scales sound very interesting & fun . Your very inspiring, thank you
I always hated practising scales when I was younger. What I love about these videos is that they inspire me to play. I'll never like practising scales but at least I'll now do it with a more positive mindset. And thanks for the tip about double holes!
To be fair "scala" in Italian also means ladder
Scale, "Escala" in Spanish is also ladder (Escalera)
As someone with barely any formal music training, I feel scales are so important! Ear training, muscle memory, music reading.... all the things you said!❤
One scale pattern I learned for group work is to have half the players play the scale 1...8...1...8...1 and the rest of the group to play the same scale, but start after the first group has played two notes. Most of the time you will be playing in thirds, except for the unison 7. At the end the first group holds the last note until the second group joins them. Usually when I have done this we have the two groups mixed up rather than sitting together as separate groups.
This is really good for intonation and especially on how to tune thirds together.
I studied music/clarinet in college, and never liked playing scales and arpeggios. I took up recorder a year ago and I think the suggestions in this video make that part of playing much more interesting. Thank you as always Sarah, and Happy New Year
Bro no way you studied Clarinet and didnt do scales... OR ARPEGGIOS?!?! you learn those on every tonal instrument.
cheers sarah, i've been struggling with f sharp major for 2 weeks and now you suddenly introduce a knee into it. thats all i need ;)
Many thanks for the tip about the half holes! Moving the wrist is faster and more accurate.
the "Nerdy but healthy" side of that video definitely worked on me :)
Try this on the recorder: "Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist". That'll make scales a bit more fun, I think. Worked for piano for me.
Sarah, you are MY FAVOURITE RECORDER TEACHER EVER!! (Sorry friends, but I needed to write this here) ♥️
Confidently absolute.
This wasn't really teaching. I liked it, but it was NOT teaching. Such a missed opportunity.
At the moment, this video about scales has 582 thumbs up, 0 thumbs down. Faith in humanity: restored.
Very valuable viewpoints. I normally tell my piano pupils that in any melody, you really just have two chocices for the notes: either they lie side by side and then we are talking about a scale, or they do not lie side by side, and we´re talking about an arpeggio. Even if we´re only moving one note. Scales and arpeggios are the two legs on wich music walks. I always teach C major starting from the pattern of root-TTS TTTS (tones and semitones) and then as we advance, I apply this formula on other keys and show how we must alter some notes to fit into this pattern. It is great to have the pupils play something simple like "jingle bells" only on the white keys but starting first on D (it turns into a minor piece and by slowing down speed and adding some chords I can turn it into a funeral dirge) and then in B (it sounds just downright weird). This is a fantastic way to show why we must add the alterations, to correct those notes that fall outside. Then it is very simple to understand why G has one sharp, F one flat, and so on. I rely heavily on the Circle of Fifths because there you see very easily how the keys progress from easy to hard. I
The approach with the intervals is also a very valuable tool to learn the modes because basically they are all variations of the major and the natural minor scale. So I think of the Phrygian mode as a major scale with the raised 4th and the Mixolydian mode as a major scale with a flattened 7. At least for me this makes learning the modes in other keys very simple.
Now, to translate all this to the recorder will be quite a challenge... if we get to lock down Spain again I think I would hardly notice...
I keep coming back to the Rooda books "Dexterity Exercises and Dances" whenever I've had a long layoff. Same book for C and F recorders, exercises, scales, some fun pieces. They were also my parents' basic exercise books.
The German word for scale is "Tonleiter", which also means "tone ladder". :D
In Indonesia, we called it "tangga nada", literally tone ladder
Well that's going to help with all my recorder methods in German! 😁
Das ist wahr. Und “Tonleiter” bedeutet auf Niederländisch "schaal". 😉
@@TheNighthorn scale derive from the Italian word Scala witch mean ladder
@@rab0664 Yep, and the French for scale is échelle, which again means ladder - but they also use the word "gamme", which has nothing to do with ladders at all; it's derived from the Greek gamma, the third letter of the alphabet (it's a long story...)
Such a fun video, great for all instruments! Thank you!
Only our Sarah could look adorable and vivacious while teaching scales!
I love scales. I’m new and so I’m wretched at them, but I like the discipline.
Thank you! There are also the different ways of grouping notes: sixteenth notes, dotted eighth note + sixteenth note, sixteenth note + dotted eighth note, triplets, notes + rests, etc.
I purchased Aldo Bova's The Great Book of Scales and Arpeggios and it's an amazing resource.
Thank you for your tips for study!
@Christiaan Baron Yes, and he shares so much of his work on YT. I'm using his Comprehensive New Method books for descant and alto. Such a wealth of pieces for practice.
Ah, dat is een goed idee, om de bijbehorende toonladder van een stuk eerst te spelen. Ik ga dat van nu af aan toepassen wanneer ik ga studeren. Bedankt!
As I realized that creativity and learning new things is really the one thing that makes me happy in life I started with music although my music teachers at school always told me i have no talent at all neither with reading sheet music nor with singing and playing an instrument. now after roughly one month of piano keyboard i can play several waltz pieces from sheet music. and i discovered your brilliant and inspiring channel. and i started with the recorder as i also wanted to play a non electronic easy to transport instrument. keep up your great work sarah, for all of us who love doing creative things.
Great job!
This is such useful advice for playing scales on all instruments, not just the recorder! Thank you!
One of your statements created a question in my mind.
You mentioned that your friend learned the scales by interval.
" Tone. tone, semitone"
This is also how I learned all of the mode, major, minor, synthetic scales etc but I dont think ,"tone tone. semitone".
I SEE the interval. I am a bassist/violone player however and on a stringed instrument or keyboard you can actually see the interval on the fingerboard or keyboard.
By the time I came to brass and recorder it was already ingrained so I never gave this a second thought.
I wonder what your friend would say.
I have taught fingerboard visualization for many years.
I don't teach any of the winds but I do teach theory.
You have me thinking about how I do that.
I love your content.
Cheers!
I guess it’s even easier for keyboard players to see intervals.
It really usefully to know different scales.... Soemtomes it's really easy to make melodies using Chinese or Japanese Pentatonic scales
The interesting thing here to me is the difference in approach to learning scales. Knowing the whole step/ half step pattern of the major or minor scale makes it easy to move around on instruments like the Bass Guitar( my primary instrument). I learned the finger patter of the Major scale in closed position (meaning I don't use open strings) and I can move it anywhere on the fret board thus changing the key. With an instrument like the recorder where there is a different fingering for each note I can see where actually knowing the Key signature would be easier.
I know it's been long time since this video but i learned from my experiance trying to play irish tin whistle that once you learn how to play scales on your recorder that after that sky is the limit of what you can play. Even if you can't read notes like me you can still play anything so you can like me listen and watch how fingers of somebody move who knows how to play.
Amazing, 23 hours online and no dislike!
Great video, I don't really like playing scales, (I play the piano and not the recorder) but I will go and do a bit of scale practice...
☺️ I mean I guess EVERYONE loves scale!
Thank you so much. You have given me many wonderful things to practice.
I wonder whether English "scale" is related to Italian "scala" which is the Italian word for "scale" and means... ladder - also stairs, stairway.
Hello Sarah, nice video as alway. I'm all for having fun when studying, but I think it's about making necessary things fun and not only doing the fun things. I think music is fun but commitment is necessary too and the sooner you learn to love your exercises, the better. As a singer, I love my warm ups. They are boring as ***, of course, but you feel your voice going from raspy, throaty and dim to flexible and brilliant. You can actually work on your tone and on your breath, without having to worry about all other aspects that make up a piece. It really pays off in the long run.
Probably, in Portuguese we also say "escala"
I am teaching my 8yo grand daughter both piano and recorder and she loves loves loves doing scales. I also include a short arpeggio at the end of each scale. This helps you recognize patterns in music without even thinking about it
I'm a jazz, blues, and big band sax player and I haven't yet played a piece that doesn't need scales, scale fragments, arpeggios or broken arpeggios. Go for it, it's like running or doing laps, great for your musical health and a lovely sonic meditation if you do them very slowly and savour each note with its unique sound (unless you're a keyboard player!).
Another informative video, thank you, Sarah! Practicing scales helped me learn the notes on the recorder and learn pieces of music by ear and by heart. I can't always identify the notes, but it makes things a lot easier. Thank you Mr. Malecki! Awesome violin teacher! Your training is still with me. I also use Alexa echo dot to find random scales to practice. I will sometimes try to figure it out first, then check if I was correct or hear what I missed. 👂🎼🎶🎵
Thank you so very much! Wonderful and much needed (for me) video!
I recommend Scale and broken chord, 700 exercices, by Roger Bernolin (ed. Alphonse Leduc). In 3 languages (fr, eng, ger). Very useful.
Thanks for the tip!
You are the best music teacher 🥁🎷🎶🎵🎻🎺🎹🎸
I don't play recorder, but I can say scales are super helpful. I practice scales everyday and it helps me learn my fingerboard/fretboard (I play violin and electric bass) they also just let you focus on and improve your technique. It also makes music a lot easier. Especially for sightreading since you know what notes to expect and what type of runs there may be.
Mixolydian #11 confirmed ! → 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7. I'm a guitar player (and I love your videos!) and I see every scale as a mode, and every one of them by degrees. It help me a lot to visualized, with my ears, what it should sound, as a flat 2 have a particular sound, a second, a flat third, a third, and so on. And more than that, each degree have a particular harmonic fonction, which I like to keep in mind. So yeah, scales, and modes, are awesome !
Ah awesome 😄
Thanks loads for this. It’s really helped, scales have been something that’s confused me for a while. I def have more questions 😂 but you have inspired me to seek out further work on scales, going to get some books... I really want to advance my playing 😊👌
Ouh!!! Fantastic video. You have a lot of reason, great explanation.
This is so well articulated and so useful! Love your content.
You are a gifted teacher
You are such a good presenter 🙏😊
Hi Sarah, thank u soo so much for the first and second recorder lessons,it was super helpful for me and i believe that it was helpful for the others also but i recommend more recorder lessons. Thank You.
You are so brilliant teaching the recorder, besides you looks so beautiful and cute! I like you very much! That's right to practice the scales...I just know some few at the recorder flute...and now I feel motivated to practice them all! What I do, I write the notes from a easy songbook and I write the lowest note of that particular song to the highest note and I practice them. So that way, I will practice the digitization as well. Then once I know my scale path then is easier to read it and play it with the different clefs.. greetings from Tijuana, Mexico!.
Awesome.
I also play the Baroque flute, and I use an exercise book which I have also found useful for the recorder: "Back to Basics: A practice book for the Baroque flute," by Anja Thomann. Now given the plethora of books written for the recorder, I recognize this book would be complementary. However, what I like about this book is that the exercises are based on historical sources (de Lusse, Quantz and Corrette) and are very approachable. You can adapt the exercises to your own level and creative goals. There is also a nice set of préludes in all keys, so you can attune yourself to a particular key, though as written they would have to be played on a voice flute or tenor recorder (or soprano recorder if you want to go the "piccolo" route).
Ooh that is a great tip, thanks!
Very good teach🤸😉🤪😁😗😆
I love your videos Sarah! I use your videos with my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at my award winning charter school in Las Vegas NV. That's about 300 students! This video is packed with wisdom and talent! Thank you so much for posting great content. I'm learning Off to California, I've got a ways to go and I have level 2 Orff training.
Sarah, you are inspiring! Thank you!
Scales is the first movement of Steven Stucky's (really cool) recorder concerto!
Can I saw how beautiful your colours are today? Your hair - recorder; your sweater top-lipstick combinations. Great informational video also. I need to do more scales.
Thank you 😊 (lip colour is NYX matter lip butter in 'Cannes'!)
Great video! Thanks, as always, for the musical ideas-broken scales, yes! Even though I play flute, I always enjoy watching your videos. You have great energy and always very positive. Sooo important! :)
Thanks a lot!!! I'm so glad your channel and videos exists! I just started recorder a few months ago, and still don't know how to read notes, nor the notes I play on my recorder. I think this is where I should start!
I initially thought you said "larder" rather than ladder. Heh, well larder makes sense too, it is the store of notes you draw from primarily for melody, harmony, constructing chords and learning your scales, their degrees and intervals how chords are constructed and fit together and even how this can be used to make key changes and modal interchange more interesting. It helps explain why key signatures and accidentals are a thing, including why B# and E# Cb and Fb and double flats/sharps are a thing and in essence let me then (on violin/guitar at least) completely ignore the key signature, knowing that once my hand is in the correct position for the key and I know whether it's major, minor or one of the other heptatonic or pentatonic scales I've committed to memory, that my fingers are already covering the correct notes and all I have to do is watch out for accidentals. Even on purely melody instruments, this helps you to know what works well and what should be used for embellishment, they are far more interesting and useful than many know! Once you know how to get whole and half steps on an instrument and the scale patterns, things become FAR more intuitive, no longer am I mechanically reading guitar tabs, I am understanding how scales and keys work, how they relate, how intuitive sheet music is and applying it not just to guitar, but my 4 recorders and my violin, it always mystified me how my brother could pick up new instruments and play them reasonably after a few weeks, especially when I struggled with guitar for years and he learned it better than I in a month, I didn't know how valuable theory like this was and until I did, I could never have dreamed of playing guitar well or picking up another instrument.
Scale, scale, scale. But once I saw them like a training material and not only doing scales for the sake of doing scale, they became much more useful in my head. Especially to get a framework for improvising.
Pre-Question: I like your style of video and Iv'e learned a lot about the recorder. Not only that, but about woodwind in general too.
The question: Would you make a video about what it's like to play with other instruments from the recorder point of view?
Especially with a pan flute because I know you did play with some.
I am a pan flute player and in my country there is not body to ask that question as the pan pipe is non-existent.. (Canada)
Thanks! Keep up the good work!
You're so good to us Sarah!
You can also call mixolydian #11 a "lydian dominant." I think that's a more Barry Harris-ish way of thinking of and naming things. Very nice for a dominant chord with a #11.
I was one of the people who suggested this video!!! 😍😍😍 very helpful!
THANK YOUUUUUUU
They say you can tune a piano but you can't TUNA FISH!
But you can
You just have to play scales on it.
that is gold
Thanks a lot
Thank you so much. You made my day.
Nothing cheesy about it feeling like an extension. I instantly merge with any instrument or vehicle like that. They are a part of me. Vehicle? Yes, I feel the texture of the road surface. Instrument? It's another organ with which I choose to "speak". Keep cracking on those metaphors, because they're true!
You are the wisdom of God.
So true.
Great info on scales. I find the hardest part of Bach's Partita Allemande is the C minor scale from C to low F in measure 11, having to slide finger 6 back and forth between half hole and whole hole. I wonder if powder can be used to slide more easily.
Someone suggested that a tiny bit of cornstarch on the tip of finger 6 makes it easy to slide between half hole and whole hole. I tried it and it works! It is now easy to play low B-flat to A-flat to G.
5:29 octatonic scales! I've heard of it but never heard it. Started trying it out the moment I heard you play it. Now I'm thinking "I bet I could construct triads out of it and turn to a piece".
Jazz musicians also call this a "diminished" scale, because it's made of two dimished 7th chords half a step apart, or one diminished chord with a half-step grace note below each one. However you prefer to think of it.
@@theglobalflutestudio8570 Huh. That's a really cool and interesting way to see it. I actually made an instrumental out of the triad chords and noticed pretty much all the chords are diminished chords.
So helpful, thank you !!!
Scale, derived from the Latin word Scala, actually means ladder.
Muito bom! Sarah......Parabéns...
I'm such an absolute beginner! I have no idea what all this "major/minor" business is all about. I did manage to figure out how to consistently hit the high C on my alto though. Now for the sharps and flats.
kelanth462 major and minor keys are basically happy/sad(or scary) keys. That’s how I learnt it anyway. I’d recommend ordering a music theory book off of amazon aswell if you can. They aren’t too expensive (only around £7-8) and will lead you through the basics of music. Make sure to add beginner or “grade one” though!
I hope you are still playing!
@@CyndiCalista Absolutely! I have moved on from the alto to a Yamaha tenor since there is so much more music that I can play with it. I got a couple of Irish whistles (C and D) for Christmas which is going to be a whole new adventure. Here's a sample: ruclips.net/video/M2dw2p38TQg/видео.htmlsi=y9duDtFMz6HXvbCM
E major has 4 sharps and not 3 like you said! Scales are my favourite, whenever I'm bored I'll try to find out what the key signature is of a certain scale and what the chords are... I'm currently trying to learn the other modes, a lot of fun.
She said A Major
@@TheNighthorn oh lol I misheard it then
It is necessary to remember that in English A is pronounced as E... And not in English H as Bécarre! :)
@@NataliaBazj I don't generally have a problem with this and am well aware of that...
If you're a beginner thinking of giving the 'high notes with the bottom hole closed' (!!) a miss, then I would recommend that you search out Sarah's video on the subject. I was one such person but that video was so much fun that I am now a confirmed aficionado of the a fore mentioned technique. I also avoided losing some teeth! Check it out and go for it....there's no way I would have without that encouragement and instruction..I bet it works for you! Cheers.
😄😄
Yes, practice scales. It's like EAT YOUR VEGETABLES. They are just that good for you. The best improvement I found was to my muscle memory.
I have developed what I call "practical scales" that entrain the patterns of accidentals for every key without having to over think about it. How does it help? How is it practical?
I use my recorder to mostly assist my vocal training. So I learn the song by playing it on the instrument. But many times I want to change the key that it's in as many vocalists do. Knowing the relationship between the original scale and the new scale kicks in almost automatically. I find I can usually play in the new key with all the correct accidentals without thinking. Because I have practiced the different scales so often the different key is entrained.
Quick note scales are so underrated literally how all music is made lol pretty much and honestly fun cause then u can break em down and change em up
You are reeeeally good! Thanks from Italy :)
You are a fantastic recorder player keep up the good work
I don't play an instrument but this is really interesting😊Maybe you make it interesting:)
I learn so much watching you! Do you have any tips on transposing while reading? I’m taking a class in a few weeks and have to sight transpose. If you’ve made a video on this topic, can you direct me to it?
ruclips.net/video/T2Kwhzn2z4c/видео.html Here 😊
I can play the F major scale on the alto recorder and a C major scale on the soprano recorder. However, I need more practice. Practice makes perfect.
I like the minor harmonic scale
When I was at University in the early 1970s my teacher said learn all your scales and arpeggios and western classical music is yours. Of course I took no notice then. I’m nearly seventy now so Sarah, I’d better make a start...
Fabulous thank you ! 😀
I enjoyed this video and have watched it a few times already. the book with scales that you recommend by Hans Ulrich Staeps (took me a while to figure that out) is as old as I am. And I am older than dirt. I know that scales have not changed over time, but perhaps you, or someone brave enough to read through the over 100 comments already, can recommend a more recently published scale book...
OH my, geek by night is me, Doyle!
Hi Doyle! 😄 I don't know many scale books to be honest, but I know ABRSM published graded books, that could be a good place to start?
Another great video, and again I am in awe of your skill. Is there anything you can't play? Anything that scares you? I mean, you made flight of the bumble look like a walk in the park!
10:20 I can understand why F# major on the recorder would be your least favorite. It has, after all, six sharps in the key signature. But what about C# major? It has all of the sharps found in F# major plus B# (which is C natural). 😉 And then there’s the Cb major scale. It has seven flats in its key signature. Lest we forget. 😢
I cant quite figure out if you're calling them those names as a joke, or if its just you calling them the flipped enharmonic spelling to my preference as a band student that's wigging me out. Like I know orchestra prefers sharps to flats, but naming it that way actually changes how its written.
Because the way you spell it matters. With note naming conventions, the notes have to go alphabetical, so choosing to name them a certain way could force you to read numerous double sharps or something, which seems... ew.
@@skytower1662 I don't know quite understand your inquiry. BTW: My post was not intended to be facetious. It's nice to know, nonetheless, at least one person is reading my comments on the big World Wide Web. It seems apparent Sarah never does. 😢 I do wish you well my friend. 🙏
@@christophertsiliacos8958 Thats why I myself wasn't sure, because you didn't have a joking tone but I learned on a concert pitch instrument, meaning it was Gb, and Db, which with the flat spelling was quite easy to read on my instrument (oboe), but reading it with the sharp spelling would be very complex.
My brain basically shut down trying to think of it, but I've also seen then the flat spelling for a decade.
She mentions en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-flat_minor near the beginning…
Perhaps learning a phrase of a song you like then taking it through the other keys / registers would be fun ...if you get a bit tired of scales.
Yes such a good idea!
I don’t know if this is said enough, but you’re so prettyyyyy 💖
You are the best I love you so so so so so so much ❤️❤️❤️
Heyaaaa
Hugs and Kisses from Brazil! 🤓
SARAH!! please do a video where you guess the price of recorders just by hearing the sound :D
THAT IS A REALLY GOOD ONE but could potentially get me into trouble if I guess too cheap 😅
Sarah, I forgot to ask you this question. Do you prefer you scales to measure in pounds, kilograms, or stones beside the usual C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, and back to the octave C?
Early :D, exactly when I need to learn scales
I played Brother John on the Leto recorder.
Your are the best Recorder Player that I now. Love you ❤😘
The Full F Half F F F H pattern (major scale) is so much more easily calculable on a keyboard/ piano
I LOVE your videos
I love Your Channel
Would you do a video of Indian Raagas on the recorder please?
Octagonic scales ? Wow I learned something new today.
Heard of major and minor pentatonic for Guitar, Dorian mode, melodic minor
But why it goes up one way and down another?
Hey, great video! I just got my recorder and I'm learning the basics. I'm curious, is it possible to learn music theory just with a recorder? Like I don't have a piano. I heard piano is better to understand theory
Have you considered doing a video on world music?
Or you can just learn basic music theory along with modes and the circle of fifths. Bam! Now you don't need to look at charts anymore and (virtually) don't need to remember all the notes of each and every scale. You still have to practice them tho, but learning the theory will help you tremendously.
Michel New makes videos on music theory and the circle of fifths are very good and later you guys can check out Charles Cornell's video on modes.
Happy to help.
Peace :)
Yes that is an excellent idea!
14:20 and slightly before it: This is why I don't play the recorder anymore, and just stay in my lane as a violinist. Maybe again in the future, but because the recorder is not relevant in my life (at all) and I want to stay away from that leg fingering, but to just wait later. Sorry Sarah, no recorder for a bit. But I'll say this, at least I know where to go for when I'm ready again.