The study of scales and arpeggios in all keys is essential to the development of a secure technique on any instrument. Most repertoire played even now, through to the twenty first century, comes from composers whose music is generally tonal, consisting of melodic lines and harmonic structures based on major and minor scale formations. Thus the player who is fluent in the execution of these can pass more quickly through many technical aspects of preparation and can concentrate on and enjoy the musical, artistic side of playing his instrument.
By using his imagination a player can use scales and arpeggios in different formats to concentrate his attention on particular aspects of musical performance, such as tone production, intonation, fingering patterns, bowing styles, rhythm and dexterity. I have included examples of rhythm and bowing patterns at the beginning of the two octave scale section and again at the beginning of the three octave section. These are a starting point only, since the permutations possible are endless, and students are encouraged to explore and invent patterns beyond these. The bibliography at the end of this book should also provide students with further areas of study.
© Graham Wood 1999. May not be used without permission.
View samples of the Complete Scale and Arpeggio Manual for Violin