Scale Acceleration Exercise
The scale acceleration exercise is the most common way that advanced players practice scales. This exercise is accredited to Ivan Galamian, one of the greatest violin pedagogues of all time, and is typically used to practice three-octave scales, although it can be done with four-octave scales as well. In this exercise, the scale will be played 6-7 times in a row, increasing the speed and the number of notes per bow each time. This helps the player work on speed, shifting, intonation, and smooth sound during long slurs.
In order for this exercise to work, you must be playing a “turn” at the beginning and end of each scale. This ensures that there is an even number of notes within the scale so that the appropriate slurring is possible. The turn is the tonic, 3rd, and then 2nd note of the scale. For example, in a G major scale, the turn would be G, B, A.
Why are scales important?
Scales can be used to help improve any aspect of violin technique, including but not limited to intonation, shifting, posture, sound, straight bowing, bow strokes, vibrato, and more.
Having trouble with a certain bowing pattern? Practice a scale with that same pattern. Struggling with intonation? Practice a scale in the key of the passage you’re struggling with. Trying to develop your vibrato? Practice a scale using vibrato. I’m sure you get the point.
What are the benefits of this exercise?
There are several, including but not limited to:
It helps you learn to play faster. The last few rounds of this exercise go really fast! Practicing speed through this exercise will transfer over to other passages in your repertoire.
It increases the fluency of shifts. Three-octave scales require a lot of fast shifting, which means that the shifting motion must be efficient, accurate, and smooth.
It builds confidence in the high registers. A major tendency of violin learners is to get softer when approaching higher notes. This is due to a lack of confidence and few opportunities to practice playing up high. Three-octave scales give players the opportunity to work on sound, intonation, and hand frame in the high register before seeing these notes appear in pieces.
It helps develop a mental map of the instrument. When learning three-octave scales, it is important to be aware of every position you are playing in and shifting to and from. This helps you learn where all of the notes are in various positions on the violin.
To perform the scale acceleration exercise, follow these steps:
Step One: One note per bow, 2 clicks per note (half notes). This step is recommended for those just beginning to learn three-octave scales but can be omitted for more advanced players.
Step Two: Two notes slurred, 1 note per click (quarter notes).
Step Three: Four notes slurred, 2 notes per click (eighth notes).
Step Four: Six notes slurred, 3 notes per click (triplets).
Step Five: Eight notes slurred, 4 notes per click (sixteenth notes).
Step Six: Twelve notes slurred, 6 notes per click (sextuplets).
Step Seven: Twenty-four notes slurred, 8 notes per click (32nd notes).
These iterations should be played continuously without stopping in between.
Check out the video below for a demonstration of the scale acceleration exercise.
