How Many Scales? Options

[singerpianist]

I was looking at the grade 6 piano syllabus, and realised that it said that the scale requirements for the grade were all majors, harmonic minors and melodic minors.....

...I was wondering if anyone could tell me how many scales there are all together. I know some of them (about 18 - some major and some harmonic minors) and so wanted to know how many more I have to learn for the grade! I know I should buy a scale book, but I won't be going shopping for a while!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Thanks

Laura

[maddielou_]

If you go onto the ABRSM website and look on the grade 6 piano exam syllabus it should tell you all the scales that are needed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
x

[singerpianist]

If you go onto the ABRSM website and look on the grade 6 piano exam syllabus it should tell you all the scales that are needed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
x

Thanks, I've just looked there, but it only says I have to know 'all major and minor scales (both harmonic and melodic)' . But it doesn't tell me how many scales this is....I've tried working it out on the keyboard, but I've got confused with my counting due to all the scales which are enharmonics.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[bevpiano]

There are 12 major & minor keys - one for each semitone, so 36 altogether including both types of minor. If you're at all confused I'd definitely get a scale book, to check fingering as well as notes. You'll need to check the arpeggios, contrary motions etc. as well. If you can't get to a music shop, you can buy a scale book online at several different shops or on ebay.

Regarding the enharmonics, you just need to be aware that D flat major is printed in the scale book, but the examiner could ask for it as C sharp major.

[singerpianist]

There are 12 major & minor keys - one for each semitone, so 36 altogether including both types of minor. If you're at all confused I'd definitely get a scale book, to check fingering as well as notes. You'll need to check the arpeggios, contrary motions etc. as well. If you can't get to a music shop, you can buy a scale book online at several different shops or on ebay.

Regarding the enharmonics, you just need to be aware that D flat major is printed in the scale book, but the examiner could ask for it as C sharp major.

That's great thank you!! That's actually less than I thought there'd be! I think I will get a scale book online - why didn't I think of that?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Laura

[jojo]

Regarding the enharmonics, you just need to be aware that D flat major is printed in the scale book, but the examiner could ask for it as C sharp major.

this is becoming more and more fun (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

[Teigr]

Regarding the enharmonics, you just need to be aware that D flat major is printed in the scale book, but the examiner could ask for it as C sharp major.

this is becoming more and more fun (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

Think of it as a freebie. :-)
If you've learned D flat major, you can automatically play C sharp major too, cos it's exactly the same sounds and fingerings. Same notes, just different names for each of them.

I don't think the examiners ask for enharmonic equivalants anyway - the syllabus seems to make a point of referring to thinks like "Db major and C# minor". But even if they do, there's no extra stuff for you to learn.

T.

[sarah123]

71 altogther (give or take a couple). Thats including the major, minor, stacato, arpeggios, chromatics, etc.

[singerpianist]

71 altogther (give or take a couple). Thats including the major, minor, stacato, arpeggios, chromatics, etc.

Woah!! That's quite a lot!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) And I thought there was a lot for grade 4....that was about 40!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'd better get learning then.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[sbhoa]

71 altogther (give or take a couple). Thats including the major, minor, stacato, arpeggios, chromatics, etc.

Woah!! That's quite a lot!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) And I thought there was a lot for grade 4....that was about 40!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'd better get learning then.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I always count it as 12 majors and 12 minors of each type regardless of what 'tricks' you have to do with them. As practice I would do everything I needed with each of these at one go but still only call it one scale/arpeggio.
Keeps the task to a manageable level.

[BusyBee]

I have never ever counted how many scales etc there are for any one exam. Counting them all up makes the task look so huge. It's easier to think of all the scales as connected in some way - a bit like the London Underground system and the tracks through your brain for remembering them!
It might help to make 'family connectons' between scales so you can group them all into manageable 'packages'. Take one letter G as a starting note. You should find there are at least 8 connections to other scales.

For example - practise G major - then - the tonic minor G minor, the relative minor E minor, it's tonic major E major. That's four done.
Then maybe go to the relative minor of E major - C# minor - tonic major - C#/Db major - the relative minor Bb minor etc etc.
You could of course decide to go to nearest keys to the # or b side from G - to D major or back to C major.

Another method for getting through them is to choose one letter a day/week and do everything possible from that letter - scale, arpeggio, chromatic, thirds, dominant 7th - whatever is required.
I agree with all the advice about getting a scale book to check out fingering - really important - and as already said, knowing the enharmonics cuts down the work too. Another way of practising - group scales into 'same fingering pattern groups'.

Good luck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)