A (not G) melodic minor scale is usually the first of the melodics that my students learn. Not only does it allow us to address two examples of what I refer to as Jump Back Fingering, it also involves jump backs that are very achieveable for beginners. I’ve included a video here to help you work through the exercises and apply them to the complete scale. Don’t forget that the techniques addressed here can also be applied to two or three octave melodic minor scales.
The tap tap exercise is one of my favourites to get your fingers jumping back correctly for A melodic minor scale. The second finger tap is probably the easiest, so best to start with that.
- Place your first finger standing up tall on F# (on the E string)
- Now place a high second finger on G# and squash the third finger on top so that it is an A natural
- Whilst leaving your first and third fingers where they are, lift your second finger up and place it squashed on top of the first.
- Lift the second up again and place it back squashed under the third
- Repeat while maintaining a loose and relaxed hand and wrist at all times.
Repeat this with the first finger, only this time your low second finger on G natural remains in it’s place while the first repetitively lifts and jumps from F natural (low first) to F# (high first). Again, be sure to maintain the correct left hand and wrist position. Also ensure that you don’t close the mouse hole!
Hey Marketa. This will be a really useful article (and video) for my kids. They have both been playing the violin for about 2 years and whilst they are having lessons, any and all tips will no doubt help. In truth, it kills me listening too them practice as the ears can only take so much – a father of the year in the making!!
All the best – Jason.
Thanks so much, Jason!
Yes; violin is not a nice instrument to listen to in the early stages!
But they will improve and soon enough the sound will be beautiful 🙂
Marketa,
When my daughter wakes up, I’ll have her watch this video you put in here. She’s in orchestra right now and having a tough time with some of the songs they’re having them play. Of course, all their classes are still online, so there’s no teacher there to correct them on posture, and online, it’s hard to see what all the students are doing really.
I imagine she’ll want to watch this video though. It’ll help her I think with her finger placements.
Thanks for sharing!
Katrina
Hi Katrina and thanks for your message,
It’s so hard online which is why I’ve been trying to make more videos for my students – at least they can see more clearly how to do the different techniques. I’m so glad that your daughter will benefit from this!
Have a lovely week
marketa 🙂
I have not picked up my violin in quite some time and was looking for ways to get some practice. I never did pick up the loose wrist so I am hoping to relearn but the right way this time. The “tap tap” exercises seem like a perfect way to get my fingers moving again! Thanks for the tips!
Hi Brianna and thanks for reaching out,
Please do try the exercises and let me know how you go; it’s really important to get the technique right!
Have a great day
marketa 🙂
Hi, Marketa! I love music, and I love the violin as well! I have learned to read the notes in school, but I have only played the flute, but I have always been interested in playing instruments. You do teach very well, and I think it is wonderful to teach people via YouTube how to play the violin.
The comparison with the spider legs is wonderful! They are so quick and effortless moving that I can imagine what you mean by your explanation. My fingers might break if I would try to play the violin now. They are not that mobile anymore. 😉 Excellent article! Thank you very much!
Hi Sylvia and thanks for your message,
I’m glad that you enjoyed my article and hopefully you can put it to use one day 🙂
Flute is really nice and if I had time to play another instrument, flute would definitely be my first choice
Have a nice day 🙂
I love the comparison with spiders. It’ true how effortlessly they move their legs, in absolute harmony, not once tripping. Although I do not play the violin I understand that that’s how you should play it. I actually really love the violin. I love listening to it, and I would have liked to learn it when I was younger. I guess I could still learn it, but they say that one should start at a young age. Is that true?
Hi Christine and thanks so much for your interest in my article.
You should absolutely try to learn violin if you want to! I have adult students and although it’s a bit more difficult to start later, it’s still possible and certainly you can learn to play at a standard which allows you to enjoy the music
Please do let me know if you’d like any more advice or help with anything violin related
Have a nice week 🙂
Thank for sharing exercise for a melodic minor scale.Your post is very informative and useful.
Keep up the good work!
Looking forward for your more posts.
Thanks so much, Saba! I’m glad you found this useful 😊
Hey Marketa,
I’ve just started playing the violin and wanted to learn about the melodic minor but couldn’t find a good teacher to teach me how to do it. I can really tell that you enjoy playing and teaching others about the violin and it definitely shows in your post.
A newbie like me was able to pick up and start implementing what you are teaching here. It is greatly informative and I know with practice and time I will be able to play with speed and accuracy.
Thank you
Hi Elias and thanks so much for reaching out!
I’m so glad that you think that this post will be of benefit to you. I’m about to make one about B flat melodic which will follow on really nicely from this one. Have a great week and please do let me know if you have any questions
marketa 🙂
Really helpful exercises for playing A melodic minor scale. I have great respect for the dedication, determination and discipline for anyone learning an instrument such as the violin or wanting to improve or perfect.
Hi Martine!
Thanks for your feedback. It is really difficult to play an instrument properly and I think violin is certainly right up there in terms of technical difficulty.
Have a great week and please do let me know if you have any questions 🙂