From a recent question: Here are a couple things to keep in mind while you’re practicing scales that make you instantly better - whichever scales you pick.✅ start with the scale-ton! This is the backbone of the harmony. That means the tonic, dominant, and sub-dominant, or I-V-IV. How to practice the scale-ton? Only play the tonic - but everywhere you can find it on the instrument. Then add the dominant - now it’s tonic AND dominant. Then add the sub-dominant. Only those 3 notes - everywhere you can find them - all fingering combinations, strings, all positions - sing it first and make it fun! Start each session with the scale ton before you play the other notes.✅ Every note has a personality. Try on different characters - your favorite book / series, or animals at the zoo! It’s ok if it seems silly at first - but it will be much more fun and convincing to play a momma bear, Samantha from sex &amp; the city, or a bull-frog - than just making the pitch noises with no feeling or story.✅ Plan your fingerings and hand frame like you know your neighbourhood! Which fingers are half-steps and whole-steps? Is it the same on then next string? Where do you shift? What happens in the position you shift to? Try a couple different fingering patterns to keep things interesting 🤘✅ Practice from the top to the bottom as well. This is a magic trick that most pros don’t even know 😉 Remember your hand frame and shifts so you get to the top without playing a note - then hear it in your head and start with confidence just like you would on the bottom. ✅ I love The Tuning CD that has a bunch of different harmonics to help you really hear what’s happening in different scales. It’s a kind of drone that’s a lot easer to tune with. Enjoy! Let me know how it goes, and feel free to book a Practice Boost or ask a question for an upcoming Spark Session if you want to learn more. Sarah⚡️❤️

These are the essential skills to practice scales in a way that actually makes you a better musician.

How to practice scales so you actually get better as a musician (and don’t lose your mind)

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How to practice scales so you actually get better as a musician (and don’t lose your mind)

How to practice scales so you actually get better as a musician (and don’t lose your mind)

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