It is really quite simple.
If you believe scale swill help you improve and/or you enjoy them then go ahead and practice them
If you believe they are unnecessary then don't practice them
The proponents of either of these points of view can try to browbeat holders of the other to agree with them forever, but they won't succeed. Why should they? There are top level performers in each camp.
But ...
If you want to take AB exams up to Grade 8 then you'll just have to play by their rules and learn them (at least well enough to scape a pass) whether you like it or not.
Full Version: Scales - Why?
QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Dec 23 2007, 08:52 PM) 
If you want to take AB exams up to Grade 8 then you'll just have to play by their rules and learn them (at least well enough to scape a pass) whether you like it or not.
True.
Sadly.
QUOTE(Piano_teacher @ Dec 15 2007, 01:04 AM)
Not quite on topic, but pleasant to report even so.
I accompanied a grade 6 trumpet player a couple of weeks ago. He failed the scales magnificently and the aural, just.
He gained a merit courtesy of stunning marks for pieces and sight-reading.
So, at least one clued-up examiner with a sense of priorities at the AB.
From what I understand it is quite common to fail the scales and still earn overall merits...worked twice for me!
Seems a waste not to get the distinction though.
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