Efficient exercises to Learn Scales

1. How do you practice scales efficiently?
2. How many hours a day should I practice scales?
3. What order should I learn my scales?

How do you practice scales efficiently?

Start on the first note of the scale and play up four notes. Then start on the second note and play up four notes again. Continue this pattern up the scale and then back down. This is a good way of developing a "way out" of a scale because you are playing four notes of a scale and then skipping.

How many hours a day should I practice scales?

On average, you should aim to practice for approximately 1 to 2 hours per day, with five to 20 minutes spent on scales. However, you would not expect a small child to practice for that long. Therefore, age and level should determine the length of practice time.

What order should I learn my scales?

In general, it's a good idea to start with the major scales first, then move on to the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales. Once you master those you can move onto things like chromatic scales, ​blues scales, pentatonic scales and whole tone scales.