Practicing scales is crucial for musicians, as it improves proficiency, finger strength and coordination, intonation, key signature understanding, and more. Though important to play, they also can be boring, so how can you make practicing scales a little more fun?
Here are some ways you can make scales practice a little more fun.
1. Play with a friend
If you can, play with a friend. Together you can get creative. Play the scale as a round. One person plays the scale as the other does arpeggios. There are lots of fun ways to play scales together.
2. Using Backing Tracks
Most practice sessions are done alone, but using backing tracks is a great way to make it feel more like a song and less like an exercise. Tomplay is an interactive sheet music app that has scales & backing tracks for any instrument and for any skill level.
3. Set Goals and Create Challenges
Set goals, such as wanting to play the B♭ Major scale in two octaves or playing scales at a certain speed. Turn it into a little game and treat yourself to something once you achieve that goal.
4. Make The Scale Musical
Add dynamic movements, add vibrato, and play with different rhythmic patterns. Try to make the scale more musical! This will also be like working on other musical skills at once.
Remember that the key to making scale practice more enjoyable is to keep it interesting and varied. By incorporating elements of creativity, challenge, and musicality, you can turn scale practice into a more fun and rewarding experience.
