Violin Scales Tutorial (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Zhao Weijian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-11-01
Features: This is a scale tutorial arranged according to the difficulty of learning the violin, specifically designed for professional and amateur violin students in middle and primary schools (amateur students can selectively practice). When it comes to daily scale practice, some students have yet to realize its importance, and as a result, often neglect it. During his visit to China, Professor Ray Chaitkin of the Eastman School of Music in the United States once told me about the time he played the violin for the master Heifetz. He said, "Heifetz asked him to play the B minor and G# minor double-stop scales." One of my classmates, Dan Podolsky, studied for two years under the famous professor Galamian at the Juilliard School of Music. I asked him, "As a renowned performer like you, does Professor Galamian still listen to you play scales during your lessons?" He replied decisively, "Of course, not only does he listen, but he listens very carefully, from slow to fast, without missing any unsatisfactory details." The Romanian violin educator, R. Krenk, compared scale practice to "the daily food of a instrumentalist." The discussions by and professors from around the world on the importance of scale practice could fill a thick book. I have only cited a few examples here. I want to remind young students learning the violin: persist in scale practice. As long as you practice every day, you will surely achieve unexpected progress. When practicing scales, start by playing slowly to first master the intonation. Before pressing each note, you must have a mental auditory image of the note in your mind. Once the intonation is accurate and secure, gradually increase the speed to train finger flexibility, clarity, and strength. Additionally, combine various bowing techniques and dynamic variations to adapt to the needs of different musical expressions. This textbook is divided into two volumes. When studying, the progress between the two volumes and within each lesson should be kept appropriately consistent to ensure both volumes can be completed simultaneously and smoothly transition into learning the "Carl Flesch Scale System." Once a student develops an interest in practicing scales, it means they have entered the of music and are free to climb higher.