For grades 1 and 3 with my old piano teacher, i did crecendos on scales. eg. you start off quietly and get louder as you get higher and then decrescendo as you go down. My new piano teacher doesnt do that, but i always used to do better at scales before and now im really bad...so basically two things...
1. how can i improve (i already practise quite a bit but are there any exercises i can try?)
2. are you meant to do the dynamic thing?

Hi there,

You last piano tutor taught you wrongly about scales, they do not contain or are not specified to contain any dynamics in the abrsm scale books, they are just supposed to be evenly played. I don't know what you can do to help yourself with this matter, I would suggest using the metronome and practising your scales slowly at an even dynamic checking that everything is correct, and move up notch by notch as you gradually improve. About ten times correct at every speed and then they are firmly under youre fingertips and in your head.


I hope this helps!

Plummi x

The only musical thing i have been taught about scales when playing them in an exam is to play legato...not so that it sounds slushy, but so that it doesnt sound like a meaningless array of notes.

but when practising, its good to try different exercises, maybe stressing every 4 notes, or 3 notes etc, or playing different rhythms, it doesnt just make it less boring, but it helps you should you make a mistake or get suck, you can start again from any position virtually

peace!!

Sorry to but in on a forum really meant for students, but I can answer this.

The AB publish a booklet called, "These Music Exams". The booklet is full of advice for students, parents and teachers. It also contains the examination marking criteria.

For scales, the top mark band of 19-21 (distinction) says:
* Quick response.
* Technically fluent and effortless.
* Musically shaped.

'Musically shaped' means crescendo on the way up and diminuendo on the way down the scales; not arpeggios - there is not enough time.

As to improving playing scales, practise is the only answer. I question the vlue of scales, but that is another issue...............

Good luck

I agree with SteveHopwood. When I was doing my scales and now when I teach them (I am still a studnet, just starting my teaching career) I say to shape them as the notes move, ie. crescendo as you ascend and diminuendo as you descend. By doing that I have always been in the top band for my scales, and so have my pupils.

Sorry, crazy_purple_piano_freak, but I just realised you are talking about grade 8 scales. Arpeggios are 4 octaves from grade 6 upwards, so cresc on the way up and dim on the way down, just like the scales.

thanks everyone!i'll have to practise a lot more but i'll get it in the end...

Are the crescendos necessary for top boundary on wind intsruments as well?

Dynamics are always essential. Anyone can play notes. the beauty of any piece is the feeling you give to it, even scales. you have to add dynamics because they give the scales a beautiful curve.
As for improving, play around with the rhythms of the scales, thats what I do and then play it normally. There are books of exercising for the scales which involves playing with the rhythm, so try it.

QUOTE (purple dolphin @ May 19 2005, 05:47 PM)

Are the crescendos necessary for top boundary on wind intsruments as well?

Hi again, purple dolphin

I offered advice to crazy_purple_piano_freak because I know about piano exams. I cannot answer your query.

I suggest posting your question on the teachers' forum. Somebody there should be able to help.

Steve

QUOTE (SteveHopwood @ May 18 2005, 11:53 PM)

For scales, the top mark band of 19-21 (distinction) says: * Quick response. * Technically fluent and effortless. * Musically shaped. 'Musically shaped' means crescendo on the way up and diminuendo on the way down the scales

Hi


do you have to do the cresc.s and the dim.s to get distintion on your scales on the piano.

QUOTE (micky-d @ May 23 2005, 09:05 PM)

QUOTE (SteveHopwood @ May 18 2005, 11:53 PM) For scales, the top mark band of 19-21 (distinction) says: * Quick response. * Technically fluent and effortless. * Musically shaped. 'Musically shaped' means crescendo on the way up and diminuendo on the way down the scales Hi do you have to do the cresc.s and the dim.s to get distintion on your scales on the piano.

Hi micky-d

In the past, pupils of mine have got high scale marks by playing them fluently, promptly and easily but without cresc and dim.

Being able to do that is the most important thing. If you can, then it is easy to pick up a couple of extra marks with cresc and dim.