Group 1
Welcome to the NEW TWO WEEK INTENSIVE on tonebase!
Improving your Scales with Dominic Cheli
We will be working on different techniques on building speed, virtuosity, and confidence in our scales with assignments posted by Dominic!
Post your progress with videos and written commentary on how things are going for you!
- Course Period: May 13 - 25
- Class Size: ALL are welcome!
- Optional check-In via Zoom: May 22 at 11am PT
- ZOOM MEETING LINK:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87650346065?pwd=iNGsfHMSqMVopfHw3bnxalYfaDuwpe.1
Assignment #1
In this assignment Dominic discusses "grouping practice" for your scales. This is a great way to increase your speed, finger control and independence.
- Choose a scale to work on (could be C major, or a relevant scale from your repertoire)
- Let's work on "2 note groupings"
- Start slow, start hands separate, and increase to 4 octave scales with both hands together
- IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the proper fingering at all times for the scale! (The Standard fingering found in any technique book, or in your decided fingering for a scale passage).
- Between each grouping, take as much time as you like, and focus on fast movements
- If a group poses trouble, stop and work on that specific part of the scale!
Assignment #2
1. Focus on your thumb and (optional) take a video of it!
2. Choose a passage to apply grouping practice to, and share why!
3. Make sure to focus on your scales and practice hands separately, even just polishing/perfecting a few groups! Don't need to complete the whole scale!
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Thank you Dominic for the week 2 posting. I have started using your suggestions. I find that these are helping as I go back to pieces. For the passage part I am posting Adagio by Tomaso-Albinoi 1671-1750) Remo Giazotto 1910. My goal is to be more relaxed when moving across the keyboard, and using less energy in movement.
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Bernice vonSaleski Wonderful music! great goal to be relaxed and utilize efficient movement!
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Bernice vonSaleski Great work, your right hand sounds and looks light and at ease.
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Nadja thank you.
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Hi, group 1 and Dominic. Thank you for week 2 instruction. Your advice is spot on, those details is what I long for,
I do take piano lessons face to face from conservatory graduates teacher. But 1 hour of lesson once in a while, there is not enough time to cover important technical basics, I really need to listen to what you have said and put them into practice.
Here comes my submission for this week. I will keep practicing scales in the way I have learnt. Thanks
And happy practice to everyone 
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Sachi This is off to great work!
keep up the practicing and I think you will see lots more benefits.
Wait longer on the starting notes and try to increase the lightness and speed of sprint groups!
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Dominic Cheli Thanks for your support and comment. I appreciate very much that you take time to listen to me (and everyone!) and providing personal advice. Yes, I will continue scale technical practice. I’m uplifted, all thanks to you and Tonebase
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What a good exercise. Although I’m far from perfect my normal scale production has improved
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Conrad Winn I can second that I never knew about the grouping method, but it already helped me a lot.
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Dominic Cheli Thank You for your advice, and putting this wonderful session together. I plan on adding these to my practice sessions. The Hanon book is excellent. I appreciate the feedback from others to refer to other Tonebase sessions, and these are helping, too. This was my first ever to do active participation. It helped to get me out of my comfort zone. I enjoy watching your other Tonebase videos. I am blessed to have had this available to me. Thanks again.
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My second week recording comes a bit late, I transitioned pianos and am still getting used to the acoustic piano.
My biggest challenge is to keep my alignment and not drag my arm. I also noticed I dip my wrist and developed spidery fingers, probably need to adjust height and distance.
I also applied the grouping practice to the chromatic run at the end of the Grave-part of the Pathétique, which I never was able to get up to speed. It has gotten much better, but still getting used to the new chromatic fingering.
