Are scales your favorite part of practicing? Do you do scales regularly? Be honest.
It’s easy to be jaded about scales. After all, you’ve probably been doing them most of your harp life. But do you know why?
Well, obviously, scales have technical potential. They do embody so many important elements – placing, planning, crosses, rhythm, control, and more. But there are other things about scales that make them so important.
Scales are the embodiment of practicing a small habit every day to build strength and resilience. Doing your scales every day not only ingrains the technical elements but also gives you a dependable small win each day that you can leverage to keep yourself on track for your big goals.
Scales have a clear functional purpose but they also have a philosophical purpose. They can help create a bubble in which you can be present and focused. They also are a simple act of great potential. They are the type of easy activity that allows your mind to work.
So it is important to do scales. But don’t just do them – do them right. Identify what your focus will be, the outcome you desire. Keep the small goal in sight, but keep the “grand goal” in mind so that all your work one the simple stuff is always pushing you along the path to your selected stop. Focus on what you can do today, with an eye to where you’d like to eventually get.
So, do your scales. Do them well. Enjoy them – examine what you do and what it means as well as what you could do next. Do what you can do today as a step to where you are going – the journey has many steps – you might as well enjoy them.
Do you do your scales every day? Where are they taking you? What could you do better? Let me know in the comments.
You have made some really great points, and I especially resonated with the following statements:
practicing a small habit every day to build strength and resilience
dependable small win each day
They can help create a bubble in which you can be present and focused
ingrains the technical elements
For me, working on scales (and other exercises) is that gentle introduction or reacquaintance with my harp each day. It helps my hands to warm up and gain confidence. As I listen for the tone I’m producing, it reminds me why I love playing harp so much. The rich resonant tone and the feel of pulling the strings with that “thwang “ when the string is released is very satisfying. And if that’s all I am able to play on the harp that particular day—then it’s enough. But what I like is that these gentle beginnings draw me in, boost my confidence, and encourage me to try new things and push my own boundaries.
Anything else that I play that day will sound better if I begin my harp playing with familiar scales (and arpeggios). They help my hands, ears, and brain wake up and remember what they are supposed to do.
Steve, you are so right! I love the imagery of fingers waking up!
bingo! i did this often. changed it up. one hand 1/3 below the other… SO much fun… well, sorta….
It’s almost a guilty pleasure!
An important part of playing scales is listening. Hearing and judging each note, and observing how it feels. Very Zen.
Excellent point! More of that being present is so important.
Yes! I do scales every day- you inspired me because you can do them so fast. My focus is on speed and eliminating extraneous buzzes etc. I want to be able to play faster and I really believe that my daily scales are helping me.
Glad to be an inspiration ( or a warning!)