Tips for Playing Fast Scale Passages

Watch Mak Grgic's full lesson on Francesco da Milano's Fantasia XIII, exclusively on tonebase!
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A common mistake when playing the fast scalar passages often found in Renaissance music is focusing too much on each individual note. In this section of his lesson on da Milano’s Fantasia XIII, Mak Grgic shares a couple of tips for making those passages easier.
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[@bossanovaboy]

The most sensible thing on this subject I ever heard comes from Al Di Meola who said it's better to practice first small motifs fast instead of a full scale. Only after this comes what you call your first principle to think of the whole long passage as a one entity.

[@guitarlessonsnow3431]

He plays with a flatpick. Much easier to execute fast passages, but not suitable for classical guitar.

[@bossanovaboy]

@@guitarlessonsnow3431 On a classical guitar you have to start with practicing the translation from string to string and of course it's much more difficult to achieve speed than with a pick.

[@guitarlessonsnow3431]

@@bossanovaboy yes, much easier. I started with a flatpick and learned classical guitar technique later. Steep learning curve! Flamenco players have an advantage as they are naturally doing the quick bursts you mention (speed burts), when playing and have also developed their extensor muscles to a high degree through frequent use of rasqueado. Low action helps also!

[@bossanovaboy]

@@guitarlessonsnow3431 I fully agree with you

[@guitarstethoscope7340]

Thanks

[@apointofinterest8574]

Some thing missing. Mak said he would explain why he uses p and i for scales and not the traditional i and m. But the video ended and he never got there.

[@TheDouglasSeth]

P-i is the way renaissance lute players often played scales. This is probably the reason he's using the fingering. You can also play fast scales very easily with the thumb and a finger. Of course, you sacrifice the ability to play bass notes when you use the thumb with scales.

[@dodoguitar2415]

Thank you so much for this tips. It’s really helpful since I have been wondering how to get the right-hand fingers to have a smooth movement in playing fast scale since they all have different lengths 😂. In playing fast scale such as in Capricho Årabe, do you always use “i m a” right hand fingers or just “i m”?

[@marcellsivad7767]

If you wish to achieve a smooth movement, and you should do that, try to put your while concentration on the end of your fingers. Try to feel how your fingertips touch the strings and play in a slow tempo. This will help

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

What piece? Sounds nice

[@diogomohr5894]

Fantasia xiii Francesco Da Milano, se não me falha a memória :)

[@riobabic8960]

What make of guitar is the one you are using ?

[@nationalsocialist8382]

That's a nice guitar.

[@swaroov9236]

They use the expensive and professional guitars

[@kristijanpavlovic]

The Sisyphus analogy is probably not the best one to make in this scenario , for obvious reasons lol.

[@andreskosberg4566]

Paco 😢