Stephanie's "Little Lessons"

#58: On Scales

Scales may be played in a variety of ways. All require that you know how to place and play sets of notes (4, 3 or 2 notes).

Most basic would be to play an ascending one octave scale by using a set of 4-3-2-1 (C-D-E-F) with the left hand followed by another 4-3-2-1 (G-A-B-C) with the right hand. This would be called a hand over hand scale. To descend just reverse it.

To increase a hand over hand scale to two or more octaves just continue using sets of 4 until you get to the top. If there are only 3 notes left to get to the root note (C) then use a set of 3 as follows:

4 3 2 1	4 3 2 1	4 3 2 1	3 2 1
C D E F	G A B C	D E F G	A B C

You could also do the hand over hand scale using sets of 3 or sets of 2 instead of sets of four - just for the experience of it.

Some celtic harpers play scales with one hand by jumping from set to set with the same hand (e.g. 4-3-2-1 jump 4-3-2-1). This can also be done with sets of 3, or sets of 2, or mixed sets. This creates an interesting sequence of quickly played fragments of sound and gives some celtic music its character.

However there is also music that you might want to play in a smooth, flowing manner that would require a more "legato" sound. This is achieved as follows:

To play an ascending scale with one hand requires that you learn to cross either 2, 3 or 4, under the thumb as follows:

• Place a set of 4 notes (C D E F).
• Slowly, play 4-3-2, stop and hold 1 on its string.
• Cross 4 UNDER and place on G just BEFORE playing your thumb.
• Then, play 1, and AS you play 4, place 3 2 1 on A B C and finish the scale.

To descend in this same manner you must learn to cross your thumb:

• Place a set of 4 notes (C B A G).
• Slowly play 1-2-3, stop and hold 4 on its string.
• Cross your thumb OVER and place on F just BEFORE playing 4.
• Then, play 4, and AS you play 1, place 2 3 4 on E D C and finish the scale.

Properly executed there is never a time that all the fingers are off the strings at the same time.

Once you get the idea of crossing before playing the last note of a set, you can do sets of 3 or 2 or mixed sets of notes to achieve fluid scale lines.

See you next month.

Stephanie

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