reply to knowing scales

by frank
(ridgefield, Ct.)

Knowing all forms of major and minor scales (natural, melodic and harmonic) provides you with the building blocks of melodic and harmonic theory.

This is especially important when reading and interpreting Baroque, Classical and Romantic repertoire, because awareness of melodic and harmonic movement gives you a greater awareness of where you are in a piece,(kind of like a built-in musical roadmap) and what interpretive decisions you may need to make at each juncture.

Scalar knowledge is also indispensible if you have any desire to improvise, something that many classical guitarists do not do enough. How scales fit over basic harmonies, and how those basic harmonies are derived from their corresponding scales, is an element of musical vocabulary that all of us as guitsrist/musicians should have at our fingertips.

This is part of the reason why it is very beneficial to set aside regular time to practice scales. If practiced attentively and thoughtfully, such work will give you an increasing tactile knowledge of how notes on the fingerboard can be put together most efficiently, as well as increase finger independence, and improve the touch and overall dexterity of both hands.

Hope this helps...

Frank