Scales & Arpeggios - Basic Introduction

A thorough knowledge of scales and arpeggios is an absolute necessity for all serious students of the piano. Western music is built on the major/minor tonal system, and to attempt to study the instrument without scales (or basic theory) would be as nonsensical as learning language without the alphabet or without bothering with grammar. These articles provide an overview of the basics of playing scales and arpeggios and serve as an introduction for more detailed resources which aim to make them practising them effective, interesting and fun.

Contents

Author

Graham Fitch

Graham Fitch, based in London, maintains an international career not only as a pianist, but also as a teacher, adjudicator, examiner, lecturer, writer and commentator on piano playing and musical subjects.

Author profile >>

Subscribe for full access!

Get full access to our growing library of over 1000 articles, videos and other resources for as little as £13.99 per month or £119.99 a year. Click here to sign-up or click here to find-out more.

Related content

Etudes & Studies – Czerny (Part 1)

<h3> <a href="/content/pages/173-etudes-studies-czerny-part-1?bundle_url=online-academy&amp;last_viewed=true">Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599)</a></h3>

In this lecture series, Ilga Pitkevica gives a tour of Czerny’s Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599), explaining how and why these etudes should be used for developing and teaching both musical and technical skills. Ilga provides detailed suggestions for each of her favourite etudes from the collection practising, avoiding... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Technique

Healthy Piano Playing

Piano playing is a deeply satisfying artistic activity, but it can also be very demanding physically on our arms and hands. Just as elite athletes understand and care for their bodies, so should pianists think carefully about their approach to playing and practising. A healthy piano technique not only avoids... Read >>


Penelope Roskell Technique

Playing Double Notes at the Advanced Level

Some of the most difficult pieces in the piano literature involve double notes. This series explores how to develop the technical skills needed to play them at the advanced level. It provides detailed advice on how to practise scales, exercises and studies, along with some suggestions for studies you might... Read >>


Graham Fitch Technique