Violin/Viola, Piano: 3 Octave Fingerings
Violin/Viola, Piano: 3 Octave Fingerings
Note that there are quite a number of fingerings possible for the three octave scales; this essay simply
provides a means of memorization for the purpose of auditions. See also:
1
• Carl Flesch: Scale Studies: Violin | Viola
• Analysis of Carl Flesch Scale System
• Free one- to three-octave Printable Violin and Viola Scales
• John Krakenberger: Galamian Scale System - Methodology
Parallel keys are a different thing altogether; what makes them parallel is that the scale starts on the
same note - but the key signatures are different. For example:
So the question really is, if an audition is asking for a "Parallel melodic minor scale" -- parallel to what
Major key? You will need to find that out, and then play a scale on that same tonic note but with the
melodic minor construction -- which of course is a raised 6th and 7th step in the ascending form, and
the "natural" form in the descending.
Supposing that the auditioner wants a melodic minor scale parallel to the A Major; then you would play
a melodic minor scale starting on the pitch "A," thus:
a b c d e f# g# a g natural f natural e d c b a
2
Identifying Key Signatures
The order of the sharps (from left to right) is Fat Cows Gulp Daises And Eat Beans. The Flats are the
opposite: BEADGCF.
Rule for Sharp Keys: The key is 1/2 step above the last sharp (sharp furthest to the right).
Rule for Flat Keys: The key is the next to the last flat. With F Major, you have to memorize that it's
one flat, since there is no "next to last."
Second finger scales include those scales with the tonic on:
B flat, B, C, C#/D flat, D, E flat, E, F, and F#/G flat
FINGERING:
• Play two of the scale notes on the A string, then shift up;
• On the E, it's 1-2 (shift), 1-2, then an extension at the end: 1-2-3-4-4;
• The descending form is 4-4-3-2-1, 2-1,2-1;
• then cross over to the A string
3
- Descending: down to first on E; 4-4-3-2-1, 3-2-1, 2-1
• A (same as A flat)
- Ascending: on the A, 3rd position; E string, 1-2, 1-2-3-4 (no extension)
- Descending: down to first on E; 4-4-3-2-1, 3-2-1, 2-1
An even more contemporary scale and arpeggio study book with a jazz/rock influence is Mark Wood's
Electrify Your Strings. This may be studied with an acoustic instrument and is well worth examining.
4
• Jan Hrimaly: Scale Book - violin • Samuel Flor: I Like to Play Scales for the
• Paul Rolland, James Starr: Three Octave Scale Viola
Fingering Alternatives • Ivan Galamian: The Galamian Scale System
• Henry Schradieck: School Of Violin Technics: Bk. 1, For Viola (Volume 1)
Bk. 2, Bk. 3 • Rudolf Haken: Scales and Arpeggios
• Hans Sitt: Scales Studies For Violin, Op. 41 • Dr. Michael Kimber: Scales, Arpeggios, and
• William Starr: Scales Plus! Double Stops for the Violist
• Ritter-Stoessel: Scale and Chord Exercises for the • Leonard Mogill: Mogill Scale Studies - viola
Violin • Walter Primrose: The Art and Practice of
Scale Playing on the Viola
• Ellen Rose: Extreme Viola. Printed to order.
Contact
• Henry Schradieck: School Of Viola Technics
- Bk. 1, Bk. 2, Bk. 3
• William H. Somach: Accidentals Happen! -
First Position, Two Octaves, Three Octaves
• Stephanie Tretick: Vademecum Scales for
Viola
5
Method for Memorizing Fingerings - Piano
• The following major scales have the same fingering: C, G, D, A, E, B/C flat.
The less consistent scales on the piano are the following (please practice these carefully until
they become "second nature"):
• B flat:
- RH: 21 23 1234
- LH: 43 14 3213
• E flat:
In the major there are three sets of enharmonic fingerings. While the tonality may be somewhat
different on stringed instruments, depending on context, the notes are exactly the same on the
piano (though phrasing is related to key structure); thus the fingering of the enharmonic pairs is
the same:
• B/C flat
• F#/G flat
• C#/D flat
6
Piano Scale Books
Hirschberg Scales and Chords Are Fun: Bk. 1 (Major), Bk. 2 (Minor).
Schaum, Scales and Pieces in All Keys: Bk. 1, Bk. 2.
Palmer, Manus, Lethco: Scales, Chords-1st Book
Palmer, Manus, Lethco: Complete Book of Scales
Ada Richter: Know Your Scales and Arpeggios
The Brown Scale Book
Franz Schulz: Scales and Chords in all Keys
James Francis Cooke: Mastering Scales and Arpeggios
Walter Macfarren: Scale and Arpeggio Manual
A Dozen A Day
Prepatory, 1, 2, 3, 4
Play with Ease in Many Keys
Mini Book
Hanon
Junior Hanon
The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises - Complete (Spiral Bound)
Jazz Hanon
Jazz Chord Hanon: 70 Exercises for the Beginning to Professional Pianist
Blues Hanon: 50 Exercises for the Beginning to Professional Blues Pianist
Salsa Hanon: 50 Essential Exercises for Latin Piano