Posted by Rick Denney on February 21, 2004 at 01:58:19:
In Reply to: Importance of learning scales posted by Rob McGray on February 20, 2004 at 23:16:37:
You're right, we're all going to disagree.
It may be that your director is trying to make musicians of you instead of just drilling the clarinet players on a technical part. And it may be that the runs in those tough woodwind parts are made up of fragments of scales, and learning the scales provides the tools for learning those parts. Scales are the foundation for being able to play in different keys.
Here's some truth for you: If you hate playing scales, then find another hobby. Playing scales is part of the deal. You have to love it. Hating scales is like wanting to be a track star but hating to run.
Rick "who has no teacher making him do anything, but who plays the scales you are complaining about in every practice session--for fun" Denney