Scales Options

[alcie-ruth]

Hi,

I was just practising my scales and I started to wonder whether I was playing them at the right speed. Now, my question is how strict do you need to be? In the syllabus it says briskly using no more than half a bow so that's what I've been doing but I've just had a look in the scales book and the tempo mark seems really slow. So what should I do?

This is for grade 2, I've been playing scales about crotchet=80 and arpeggios quaver=132 but the scales book says scales crotchet=54, arpeggios quaver=108.

Should I slow my scales and arpeggios down?

I'm being taught by a friend for free, he's not taught anyone before but we seem to be getting on alright. I just don't want to be penalised for being too quick.

[violinlove]

Hi,

I was just practising my scales and I started to wonder whether I was playing them at the right speed. Now, my question is how strict do you need to be? In the syllabus it says briskly using no more than half a bow so that's what I've been doing but I've just had a look in the scales book and the tempo mark seems really slow. So what should I do?

This is for grade 2, I've been playing scales about crotchet=80 and arpeggios quaver=132 but the scales book says scales crotchet=54, arpeggios quaver=108.

Should I slow my scales and arpeggios down?

I'm being taught by a friend for free, he's not taught anyone before but we seem to be getting on alright. I just don't want to be penalised for being too quick.

You wouldn't be penalised for being too quickly BUT if you play too quickly and make mistakes then you would be penalised for those mistakes. Perhaps slow them down a touch so that you really secure - don't forget nerves on the day make you more prone to slips and playing too quickly won't help.

[alcie-ruth]

Okay, thanks. It's been years since I took an exam so I can't remember how bad it is, I'll just take them steadily and think about them before I start. I've still got a few months to go so hopefully I'll be alright.

[Yoshifumu]

My rule of thumb is, when in an exam, always play well within your comfort zone, not so slow that you end up counting the seconds in between, but not so fast that you are pushing yourself. Ideally only a bit below pushing yourself.


This obviously works best when you are comfortable playing at a speed that is significantly faster than the suggested tempo. Which it sounds like you are. That way you can still play faster but you won't have a problem,


In general music boards don't mind you playing faster, especially in scales/arpeggios etc. as it still shows you are competent. But not for songs as it can change the musicality of it and won't sound right.


I'd probably advise taking some time to practice slower tempos when you get closer to the exams. If you are/ always practicing scales etc. at full speed then you might find it hard to slow down for the exams, leaving you liable to make mistakes.

[sbhoa]

In general music boards don't mind you playing faster, especially in scales/arpeggios etc. as it still shows you are competent. But not for songs as it can change the musicality of it and won't sound right.


I'd probably advise taking some time to practice slower tempos when you get closer to the exams. If you are/ always practicing scales etc. at full speed then you might find it hard to slow down for the exams, leaving you liable to make mistakes.

As long as scales are even, fluent and musical I don't think there is any reason to change the speed you play for an exam. That is likely to cause problems as it's not what you are used to doing.
If they are sounding rushed then they do need slowing down regardless of exams as that's not really a good habit.

As for pieces if you listen to professionals you will find that there is more than one tempo that works for most pieces. Most tempo markings on exam pieces are editorial anyway and though useful they are not set in stone.