Scales Book For Clarinet, Which one Options

[jacobvaneyck]

Last week I told my pupil to get a scale book so we can do much more work on these after the holidays. I was just thinking of the usual ABRSM scale book, grade 1-8. Last night her mum said they found two or three books with exactly the same title, and which one should they get. As well as the AB, there are ones by Studio Music (ed Sparke, blue cover) and Fentone.

What do people prefer. I know what I do but let's get some other thoughts. Or are there any brilliant ones by the master teachers of the past, like Klose, Baermann, Rose et el.

[Scaramouche]

I generally stick to the ABRSM book, unless any pupil has a different one - which most don't.

[Rosemary7391]

Mine is the AB book. Seems to do the job - theres not really much to a scale book is there?

[Malone]

I really like the studio music one! Just to be different. The layout is much easier than the usual AB one. It is laid out in grades, so turn to grade 4 and there are all the scales, arpeggios etc for that grade.
Here is a sample page of grade one/two flute http://www.musicroom.com/LookInside.aspx?c...oduct_id=394016

[Scaramouche]

Having it set out in grades can be useful if preparing for an exam, but then perhaps some students take scales as being something only to do for an exam, not part of normal playing?

[Malone]

Well then they can use the page that most suits their standard. The grade 7/8 pages needless to say, has every scale listed much like the AB book if you so want.

[jacobvaneyck]

Ah but E minor is not part of grade 1 clarinet. It's A minor. That's just one example of why I don't like the layout of the Sparke book. Nat took the other point out my mouth, it can perpetuate the idea that scales are merely to get you through exams. I don't do it this way. I give scales as and when they seem appropriate. That's why I prefer the AB book where all the scales are given in key order, C major 1 octave, C major 2 octaves etc.

[Malone]

That particular extract was from the flute book, NOT the clarinet book, I'm sure the inard of the clarinet book are correct, it does say its for the preperation of AB exams.

[jacobvaneyck]

Fair enough, but still there is more to scales than ABRSM exams. For example I like to do the chromatic scale earlier than grade 3, don't understand why D major is done after D minor, and so forth. The only advantage I can see of this book is being a few quid cheaper for those who balk at spending £5 on a scale book.

[Malone]

Ok. I do own both and personally prefer the sparke one because of the layout. I dont have to keep referring back to the inside cover to see which scales are for what grade etc. I dont understand why, for grade 3 clarinet, they have to learn A minor and D major 2 Octaves and A major and D minor only 1. Beyond me.

[barry-clari]

Ok. I do own both and personally prefer the sparke one because of the layout. I dont have to keep referring back to the inside cover to see which scales are for what grade etc. I dont understand why, for grade 3 clarinet, they have to learn A minor and D major 2 Octaves and A major and D minor only 1. Beyond me.

I have seen the Sparke scale book, and though it's a nice publication, my inclination is still to go for the AB book.

[Teigr]

How essential are scale books?

My teachers expect me to figure them out for myself (whatever's on the syllabus if I'm working for an exam, otherwise all scales starting on a particular note) and that's worked fine so far. What extra stuff does the scale book have? Do I need one?

I've been thinking about getting one of the books that uses scale patterns in other exercises instead. Any recommendations for those? (flute/clarinet)

T.

[CJB]

How essential are scale books?

My teachers expect me to figure them out for myself (whatever's on the syllabus if I'm working for an exam, otherwise all scales starting on a particular note) and that's worked fine so far. What extra stuff does the scale book have? Do I need one?

I've been thinking about getting one of the books that uses scale patterns in other exercises instead. Any recommendations for those? (flute/clarinet)

T.

I never used a scale book at all until well past G8. Now I have a copy of Baermann III, which whilst an evil work of the devil (I'm in the scales in 6ths section at the moment I am less against it when I'm working from closer to the start of the book!) lives on my stand, 1 or 2 pages are played (in strict page order, no skipping it just 'cos it has more sharps than strictly necessary) at the start of every practice session.

[The Boyz Mum]

I use the ABRSM book for both Clarinet and Violin and mark the appropriate scales with sticky tabs - my sons seem to respond better this way.

Once they have completed a grade on their respective instruments I remark the next grade's scales - regardless of whether or not they are currently learning pieces for the next exam or playing for pleasure - then they are both expected to do at least 10 minutes scales and arps practice within their playing per session - which increases when they get closer to exams.

It seems to work... [she says crossing her fingers!]

[magicflute]

I've never used a scale book either. My teacher said ou need to play x, x, x and x they have x #s in or whatever and I learnt them. Don't know how I would get on with a book...