Learning the Yellow Scales: Starting on the 1st Finger
The major scales that begin on the 1st finger use the Yellow Pattern. It can be a little odd on the ear after the familiar tonality of the Red and Blue patterns, which is why I start the scales at the same time as the pattern. By this point you should be familiar with the sound of a major scale and can use both to learn each other.
The Yellow Pattern
The Yellow Pattern is created by raising the 3rd finger from the Red Pattern, creating a half step between the 3rd and 4th fingers. Spend some time going between the two patterns to see how the difference feels.
How to Play the E Major Scale
These scales all start with the 1st finger and go to the 4th finger on the next string. Yes you could play open on the string above that, but moving the whole bow arm back and forth for one note takes a lot more energy than just putting the 4th finger down. So for E Major we start on the D string. Be sure to get the 3rd finger high enough that it continues to be a major scale. If the hand slips back into Red Pattern you’ll be playing a minor scale, and we aren’t there yet (to hear the difference you can go back to the one string scale and play it in Red (Major) and Blue (Minor)).
The arpeggio is where you have to be very careful. The scale is usually fine because you can easily feel the whole step between 2nd and 3rd fingers. Since you don’t play the 2nd finger for the arpeggio there can be a tendency to play the third finger too low, making a minor arpeggio.
How to Play a High B Major Scale
Moving up onto the A string will give us a B Major scale.
This scale has five sharps and is one that some people say is difficult just because of that. But keep the Yellow Pattern solidly in your hand and you’ll be fine.
How to Play a Low A Major Scale
Once more we go down to the G and add a third scale. Keep it Yellow and you’ll have a new octave of A Major. Reminder to watch the third finger on the arpeggio.
How to Play a Two Octave A Major Scale
This allows us to play our second two octave scale. Just like we stitched two colors together to make G Major, we will do the same here, but this time the colors will be Yellow and Red, each using two strings.
Once again notice the turns at the top and bottom of the scale. Also be mindful on the way down; the top octave is the more familiar Red, and the tendency of some students is to remain Red when the switch to the low octave happens. This was easier in the G Major because you were returning to the more familiar pattern. Just be mindful.
Stick with the Yellow Scales for a while until they are nice and comfortable. One more Finger Pattern and set of scales and we’ll have all the Primary Majors. And just like Yellow we start the pattern and the scales at the same time. So stay tuned for the next post.