Forum of the Saxes

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

i'm trying to learn all of the major scales. what's the easiest way to learn all of them?

saxmaniac · Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 184

Practice each scale SLOWLY, and, as you get better, slowly increase the tempo up until you reach a tempo that you feel most comfortable with.

Bariman · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:52 pm Post subject:

If you mean how to figure out which notes are in each scale, try and find a keyboard and use the W/H method:

Major Scales: W W W H W W W H

(W=whole step, as in C to D, H=Half step, as in C# to D)

You can then start on any note, and create a major scale.

Bariman
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altosaxgeek5 · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm Post subject:

Spell them. Example: We want to spell an A scale. So.. we know that Grass Dies After Every Big Frost Comes (GDAEBFC, the order of the sharp keys), so the A scale has 3 sharps. If we looks at BEAD, Go Call Fred backwards (FCGDAEB, the order of the sharps in key sigs, or the order of the flat keys backwards), we see that the sharps are F, C, and G. We know our alphabet, so we say:

A B C# D E F# G# A

The catchy phrases to remember key signatures and accidentals:

BEAD, Go Call Fred (BEADGCF) -- the order of the flat keys after F. Count over to the scale you have, go over one more, and y ou have the number of flats, and what they are.

Grass Dies After Every Big Frost Comes (GDAEBFC) -- the order of the sharp keys. Count over to the key you're in and that's how many sharps you have.

BEAD, Go Call Fred backwards (FCGDAEB) --- The order of the sharps in the key signature.

These are kinda weird... but they word. I managed to play all of the major scales yesterday this way.
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Louis Scuderi · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject:

IMO, the best way to learn scales is by ear. Play them slowly, and use your ear to figure what notes are right and wrong. If you have to, use a sheet containing all the major scales to check yourself. Ears don't lie. Mr. Green

Good luck.
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musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

Thanks guys1! with my private instructor and you guys help, i now know a major scales and can play some up to 16th notes! Very Happy

Thomas · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 223 Location: Alberta, Canada