Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Using the metronome to practice scales

When I play scales for my teacher she always asks for me to play them smoother.

I wonder if a metronome would help and if so what is a good beat to set it for? The metronome drives me crazy, but if it helps, I'm willing to give it a go.

Thanks

A good goal for scales is q=120. But start as slowly as necessary to play each note very clearly.

The key to playing smoothly (I think) is not to mush the notes together. That seems obvious, but try thinking about it differently: rather than being concerned about not mushing the notes, think about playing the notes clearly.

When you practice slowly (for example, q=40), make sure each note is very clear and distinct.


Start slow, somewhere around q=40 or so. Then go up by 2's or 5's on the metronome as your comfort increases. Make sure that you can play each note of the scale very clearly at a given tempo before bumping up the metronome a little faster.

I think we just corresponded on teaching seniors? and I noticed this subject.

If your scales are uneven you are practicing too fast. Slow down! and get them even. I always say the most difficult scale is C major. There are no reference points to keep you in time. Having said that, if you can get C major even you will get all the others even.

Don't rush - we have plenty of time!

Rob thanks. C major is harder than the others.