How to play SCALES like the pros, from Bach to Chopin and beyond. (Bernstein, Biegel, Buechner)

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  • Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
  • Great pianists explain the simplest piano technique: the scale.
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    ⏰CHAPTERS⏰
    0:00 Does this ever happen to you?
    1:37 Why do we practice scales?
    2:37 Chopin’s Scale Positions
    3:16 the Ideal Hand Position for Scales
    3:45 Clumping Exercise
    4:45 Rotation and Scales
    5:51 Elbow Technique and Painting the Piano
    7:11 Practicing Tricky Scale Passages (Chopin)
    8:41 Mozart’s Beautiful Scales
    In this video, several great piano teachers share beginner, intermediate and advanced piano exercises for practicing scales. These exercises range in level from very beginner to the advanced scale techniques noticed in Mozart and Chopin. The video features samples from Tonebase courses by Jeffrey Biegel, Penelope Roskell, Juliana Han, Seymour Bernstein, Sara Davis Buechner, and Jarred Dunn. The video features music by Haydn, Chopin, Saariaho, J.S. Bach, and others, performed by Cziffra, Anne-Marie McDermott, Vadym Kholodenko, Marc-Andre Hamelin, and others. The video opens with a comical skit of host Robert Fleitz struggling to perform easy scales while practicing piano. There is also a short reference to the film The Piano Teacher.
    ---
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    #mozart #chopin #scales #pianotutorial #beginnerpiano #piano #tonebase #tutorial #technique #pianomusic #classicalmusic #pianotutorial

КОМЕНТАРІ • 106

  • @brianregan5053
    @brianregan5053 17 днів тому +25

    Thanks. I‘m 85 years old and trying to learn scales with fingers that are not so nimble any more. I will try some of these hints and see how they work for me.

  • @caseym8385
    @caseym8385 16 днів тому +10

    Seymour has an amazing ability to sound very profound while hardly saying anything. 😂

  • @stacerogers4008
    @stacerogers4008 12 днів тому +5

    The best visual thing I picked up on this video is watching Jeffery Beigal playing a C major scale. His right pinky finger sticks up noticeably. Mine is exactly the same and I was widely criticised and told repeatedly to adjust this to avoid tension. It’s never affected my playing (aside from being overly conscious of it). Great to see an accomplished pianist with a similar style.

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  12 днів тому

      glad you found it helpful! You might enjoy checking out this short:
      ua-cam.com/users/shortsDE3Xx2IsDAc?feature=share

    • @kerenneeman5879
      @kerenneeman5879 7 днів тому +2

      Take a look at Kissin´s 5th finger...

    • @stacerogers4008
      @stacerogers4008 7 днів тому

      @@kerenneeman5879 he’s one of my favourites, but I’ve honestly never noticed his pinky. I’ll keep an eye out for it 🎹👍

    • @kerenneeman5879
      @kerenneeman5879 7 днів тому +2

      Curls sometimes, sticks out sometimes, and it really doesn't matter

  • @AldenHardaway
    @AldenHardaway 12 днів тому +2

    Scales are a cornerstone! Glad to see them getting attention

  • @PETER_MORAES_CAMARADA
    @PETER_MORAES_CAMARADA 17 днів тому +13

    Um oi do Brasil a todos ❤🎹

  • @andrewanderson6121
    @andrewanderson6121 16 днів тому +2

    Everyone should look into Brahms (51 exercises) and Liszt's various unusual use of 1,2,3, 4, 5 patterns (Spanish Rhapsody) and 2,3,2,3 in the Faust waltz. Groupings of 5 and 7 are quite worthwhile.

  • @christophernorman8127
    @christophernorman8127 13 днів тому +2

    Another important consideration is the movement of the whole body as a synthesised unit

  • @shubus
    @shubus 16 днів тому +16

    The unseen elephant in the room is getting THUMB CROSSINGS up to speed.

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  16 днів тому +3

      Absolutely! Be sure to check out or recent video about thumb technique for more help on that topic!

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  15 днів тому +1

      ua-cam.com/video/wgTnvNsgQIg/v-deo.html

    • @EANNE1000
      @EANNE1000 13 днів тому +1

      I ruined my thumbs trying to go too fast for my physiological ability.

  • @pascalvaccaro371
    @pascalvaccaro371 16 днів тому +2

    Just started learning the piano, scales are the greatest tool for your hearing, your memory, your musical mind and of course your finger. They show how geometrical piano playing is by mapping your brain with your fingers using triangles (1-2-3) and rectangles (1-2-3-4). I usually start my practice with 15 minutes of the scale right below or above the musical piece I intend to work on next and use 5 minutes to work on the targeted scale: let's say I work something in E minor, I'll give the F minor or Eb minor scale a go for 15 minutes and only then I'll practice a bit of the E minor scale (usually in sixths to make things a bit more fun).
    I don't know if it's a good work routine, all I know is it fires up my musical brain and makes me dive right into the piece I want to work. I noticed that if I only work the targeted scale (E minor, in this instance), my ears won't catch the same nuances when I switch to the musical piece, probably because the scale is very linear while the musical piece may have some alterations and/or often goes beyond a simple scale structure.

  • @Fraktal1
    @Fraktal1 13 днів тому +1

    i like practicing chormatic scale a lot. sometimes i play with octaves, or in chopin's fingering ( 3,4,5 only). You can play with thirds to. You can do so much thing with it.

  • @francisjd
    @francisjd 16 днів тому +3

    Excellent video! Fun and informative.

  • @classicsbycandace
    @classicsbycandace 17 днів тому +1

    This is great! ❤🔥🔥

  • @RolandHuettmann
    @RolandHuettmann 15 днів тому +1

    My almost daily scales are the ending scales of the coda in Chopin's Ballade 1, in g-minor with variants, very fast, and like a single jump with the bow.

  • @Alphatraz8piano
    @Alphatraz8piano 17 днів тому

    Great content !

  • @jjrulesthewrld
    @jjrulesthewrld 17 днів тому +2

    Best content ever ❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥

  • @BunniesRcooler
    @BunniesRcooler 16 днів тому +1

    I would like to see a video about how to play different dynamics while remaining relaxed and the correct hand posture for diferent dynamics (just everything about dynamics). This video was very helpful and I'm excited to see more videos like this in the future.

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  16 днів тому

      Thanks for the suggestion! Dynamics are a big request, and I will keep it in mind for sure. Glad you enjoyed!

  • @mangomerkel2005
    @mangomerkel2005 17 днів тому +6

    Seymour is such a treasure to humanity! Thank you, tonebase, for preserving his heritage for future generations!

  • @Flightofphenomena
    @Flightofphenomena 17 днів тому +4

    I like trying to play two different major scales with different hands. Some are cooler than others. 🙂

    • @Landler_b9
      @Landler_b9 16 днів тому

      That's a really cool idea

  • @lawrencetaylor4101
    @lawrencetaylor4101 7 днів тому

    Merci.

  • @XxguaxinimxX.
    @XxguaxinimxX. 17 днів тому +3

    Great video!
    This will escalate my training very quickly! 😂

  • @dogmediasolutions
    @dogmediasolutions 15 днів тому +1

    I once heard someone mention (3 days ago 😂) that “pros don’t spend a lot of time playing scales” 🤔 I’m about to sit down for my daily practice and EVERY NOTE I play will be a combination of scales. Even the chords I play. Let’s break down a Fm7#9, me thinks that be notes of a scale played simultaneously 🥳. Every minute of the following hour will be played using scales in one form or another. Excellent video, I’m signing up!🤘🏾

  • @HH-fr8xb
    @HH-fr8xb 15 днів тому +1

    3:51 my neighbours are loving it!😂

  • @dlalfa
    @dlalfa 14 днів тому

    great

  • @johnschlesinger2009
    @johnschlesinger2009 10 днів тому +1

    Josef Hofmann said why are those pesky scales so difficult, in fact one of the most difficult things on the piano! And boy did he know how to play them!

  • @evennorthug2585
    @evennorthug2585 4 дні тому

    What would help me the most, is not seeing the scales perfectly played, but how to gradually proceed and to achieve smoothness. What is most important? What variations in rhythm and dynamics are the most effective? Not picks, not examples, but THE best path, as commonly acknowledged. As I understand from Tonebase videos, Chopin himself was quite specific about method, directing more than providing suggestions.

  • @careylarson119
    @careylarson119 16 днів тому

    Great video. The scales I hate? Offset. Same scale in each hand, but at different intervals--not octaves. Like when Liszt converted Paganini's Caprice #5 and, of course, made it more difficult for the piano. Because, well, Liszt. Clumping exercises help a ton!!!

  • @raqueljones946
    @raqueljones946 14 днів тому

    What is your opinion of the Virgil Practice Clavier ? I've used one for over fifty-five years and I doubt I'd be playing at all at seventy-six otherwise but their use is strongly discouraged these days for reasons I cannot fathom.

  • @adeemuff
    @adeemuff 17 днів тому

    I have a totally relevant question: where did Robert buy this amazing shirt (or whatever it is)?

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  16 днів тому +1

      Miraculous 1 EUR thrift shop find! 😄

  • @christophedevos3760
    @christophedevos3760 5 днів тому

    I have this weird theory now, thinking that it all (virtuosity in general) has to do with the strength (and/or agility) of the fingers which we label as 3,4,5. (especially ringfinger and pink). Of course scales also with the fastness of deplacement of thumb.

  • @stephanecouvreur1377
    @stephanecouvreur1377 17 днів тому +1

    I could use a tip to practice the G minor scales at the end of Chopin’s 1st ballade, especially the one in tenths!

    • @mvmarchiori
      @mvmarchiori 15 днів тому

      Search "Piano Téchne - Chopin Ballade".
      It's a very short video. It helped me a lot.

    • @mvmarchiori
      @mvmarchiori 15 днів тому

      Just add "rapid scales" to the search. I forgot that part.

    • @stephanecouvreur1377
      @stephanecouvreur1377 15 днів тому +1

      @@mvmarchiori Excellent! Thanks

    • @mvmarchiori
      @mvmarchiori 13 днів тому

      Did you find it? Cause UA-cam deleted my comment, again.
      The channel in question is "Piano Téchne"
      Hope it helps!

    • @stephanecouvreur1377
      @stephanecouvreur1377 13 днів тому

      @@mvmarchiori Yes I found it 🙏

  • @ShaunakDesaiPiano
    @ShaunakDesaiPiano 13 днів тому

    0:40 don’t forget the coda of Chopin’s 1st Ballade.

  • @fatihsimsek9834
    @fatihsimsek9834 2 дні тому

    please add Turkish subtitles
    thank you for sharing

  • @eddydelrio1303
    @eddydelrio1303 17 днів тому +2

    Anybody else ever practice TWO different scales at the same time? Even, a major scale in one hand and a minor scale in the other (like E-minor in one and Bb-Major in the other? I did (back in the day). 🙂

    • @Suplex479
      @Suplex479 16 днів тому

      It's very common to practice a major and a relative minor scale at the same time

    • @eddydelrio1303
      @eddydelrio1303 16 днів тому

      @@Suplex479 That isn’t really any different than playing a single scale at the interval of a third or sixth, which hopefully is already being done by any serious student.

    • @Suplex479
      @Suplex479 16 днів тому

      @@eddydelrio1303 difference is that it could be done in opposing directions

    • @jonathanwingmusic
      @jonathanwingmusic 16 днів тому +1

      Sure, it's great prep work for handling polytonalities and it can be a fun way to experiment with dissonances. I find some of the most musically useful ones to be played apart by thirds, but in different keys: 1) From the minor third - Such as C major in the left, Eb major in the right; also C minor in the left, Eb minor in the right. The end result here are all minor thirds going up and down which lends a rather dark sound but still beautiful and musical. 2) From the major third (ex: E major over C major) is pretty cool, the opposite effect where every interval going up and down is a major third. A rather bright and odd sound but pretty interesting. Perhaps more useful - E minor over C major - you just get the #F or implied D major for a Lydian sound. E minor over C minor is also interesting and creates some fun intervals, depending where you start and how you use it can also sound very musical. 3) Also variations built on the 4th and 5th degrees can be interesting, of course major from the 5th is pretty tame and basically playing parallel 5ths up and down, with a major interval built on the 7th degree. Useable in the right conext. Of course any keys will work for the more adventurous types, depending how "outside" you want to go, but I personally have found variations built on the 3rd to provide the most useful harmonic opportunities to explore!

    • @eddydelrio1303
      @eddydelrio1303 16 днів тому

      @@Suplex479 true for any and all scales each hand may play, no matter which: in contrary motion. 😊

  • @donaldaxel
    @donaldaxel 13 днів тому

    I like especially when Sara Davis Buchner says "even a scale can be beautiful", and then I miss a demonstration of what she says. Not that I hate scales, but think of it: when they are best they are kind of "rocket spice" (upward scales in fast tempo, like Chopin op.53 conclusion for main theme) to tonal music. A problem with scala is that it crosses tonality, in most cases.

  • @misterchrissy
    @misterchrissy 13 днів тому

    i think more specific, in-depth technique talk would be helpful here, especially the mechanics of crossing thumbs under and how the transferring of weight works while doing that, having clear and articulated scale passages in the weaker 4/5th fingers, the role of the last knuckle of the finger in supporting/transferring weight in scale passages, etc. this video was kinda just light commentary.

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  13 днів тому

      These are great and important topics! We have a recent video about thumb technique that might be helpful, as well as a few shorts about 4th/5th finger problems. But we’ll definitely keep this in mind for future videos!

  • @arryaxx263
    @arryaxx263 16 днів тому +1

    I go up the scale, I go down the scale. If It is ok, the bpm goes up. If it is not ok, the bpm stays the same. When I do 16th notes at 150bpm, I move on. No one needs notes faster than that. They should be illegal.

  • @marshac1479
    @marshac1479 12 днів тому +1

    I noticed Jeffrey's little finger was raised when he was playing the c major scale. I thought that was something you should try to avoid?

  • @NoferTrunions
    @NoferTrunions 2 дні тому

    I'm 71 started at 6, have watched everything I can find on the internet, and recently was absolutely amazed at Vlado Perlemuter's technique - it seems only his fingers move. Check out his warmup ua-cam.com/video/mBiU_KD6Ha0/v-deo.html and the Ravelle Gaspard (1991)

  • @chopinpa
    @chopinpa 14 днів тому +1

    Could have done without Sarah Davis Buechner's offensive crack about "thinking like a musicologist".

  • @mattwallis1893
    @mattwallis1893 11 днів тому

    and they all seemed to use different approaches to play their scales 🤔

  • @michaelmorin6235
    @michaelmorin6235 9 днів тому

    That’s not b major scale on her right hand

  • @666dorian
    @666dorian 15 днів тому

    When did chunking become clumping mwhahahhaha

  • @GhaithKaasamani
    @GhaithKaasamani 17 днів тому

    First

    • @amans228
      @amans228 16 днів тому

      Congrats!

    • @GhaithKaasamani
      @GhaithKaasamani 16 днів тому

      @@amans228 Thank you. This is my greatest achievement.

    • @amans228
      @amans228 16 днів тому

      @@GhaithKaasamani I'm in awe. Never happened to me.

  • @sallemjazz1
    @sallemjazz1 16 днів тому +3

    I strongly dislike "amusing" videos.

    • @Sloimer
      @Sloimer 16 днів тому +1

      Lol you sound fun

    • @sallemjazz1
      @sallemjazz1 16 днів тому +1

      @@Sloimer when appropriate I am.

    • @Sloimer
      @Sloimer 16 днів тому

      @@sallemjazz1 shut up

  • @zvelekva
    @zvelekva 15 днів тому

    I miss the other guy....at least he was funny....

  • @karolpiql
    @karolpiql 16 днів тому +1

    I don't think rotation movement is very useful in scales and generally it is overrated nowadays

    • @eddydelrio1303
      @eddydelrio1303 16 днів тому

      Agreed, such incumbers the smooth and gradual movement of the hand across the keyboard. "Legato" is after all part of the illusion of playing the piano. I was taught to slightly "aim" the hands in the direction of their travel.

  • @lonelycrescendo
    @lonelycrescendo 16 днів тому

    I love the trans representation ❤

  • @thepianocornertpc
    @thepianocornertpc 5 днів тому +1

    The scale is NOT the simpliest piano technique..far from.

  • @tigranpetrossian9848
    @tigranpetrossian9848 14 днів тому +1

    Wow tonebase really went to shit

  • @iampracticingpiano
    @iampracticingpiano 17 днів тому +16

    Pros don't spend a lot of time playing scales, to be honest.

    • @e.p.s.9037
      @e.p.s.9037 17 днів тому +22

      Barenboim said very poignantly that there are enough scales in Mozart to not have to practice them separately

    • @privateprivate22
      @privateprivate22 17 днів тому +8

      Very wrong. Emil Gilels who was the crema of the crema every day played scales. I knew it personally from his family. He played it in moderate tempo and if any finger was not positioned perfectly exactly in central part, he was joking “I missed it”

    • @pianoplaynight
      @pianoplaynight 17 днів тому +26

      ​​​@@privateprivate22so did Cortot. Whereas Richter, Argerich, Pollini, and countless other piano giants didn't ever practice them. I think everyone has to find what works best for them!

    • @TheTeeProd
      @TheTeeProd 17 днів тому +1

      @@pianoplaynight well said

    • @privateprivate22
      @privateprivate22 16 днів тому +4

      @@pianoplaynightthat’s right, my point is that there are many real pros who do practice scales and it doesn’t make them less pros .

  • @AAsperitas
    @AAsperitas 6 днів тому

    profanation, no one played a good enough scale😢