Berkson Music Studio
Technical Curriculum
Levels I-V
Major & Minor Scales
Major & Minor Arpeggios
Major Scales in 3rds & 10ths
Levels VI-X
Chords & Inversions
3/2 & 2/3 Scales
Chromatic Scales
7th Arpeggios
Cadences & Progressions
Levels XI-XV
Advanced Scales
Double Octave Technique
Advanced Arpeggios
Advanced Chromatic Scales
Broken Chords & Trills
Quotes
Quotes
The Importance of the Scale
“Do you ask me how good a player you may become? Then tell me how much you practice the scales.”
Carl Czerny
“You must diligently practice all scales”
Robert Schumann
I believe this matter of insisting upon a thorough technical knowledge, particulary scale playing, is a very vital one. The mere ability to play a few pieces does not constitute musical proficiency.
Sergie Rachmaninoff
I consider the practice of scales important not only for the fingers, but also for the discipline of the ear with regard to the feeling of tonality, understanding of intervals, and the comprehension of the total compass of the the piano.
Josef Hofmann
Levels I-V
Berkson Music Studio has set forth this three part series of technical requirements with the vision of preparing and building the musicianship of its students. There will be a test that will follow each level learned and once Level V is completed there will be an Encore Test of Levels II - V. Once the Encore Test is successfully completed the student will graduate to the second stage of the BMS curriculum (Levels VI-X). An award will be conferred for each stage of the curriculum completed.
Materials for each level in the first stage of the Curriculum are presented below in PDF form.
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Level V
Major Scales in 3rds & 10ths
Levels VI-X
Level VI
Major & Minor Triads in Root Position
Major & Minor Triads in Root Position,1st & 2nd Inversions (Blocked & Broken)
Level VII
Major Scales in Three Octaves
Minor Scales in Three Octaves (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic)
Major Scales 3/2 & 2/3
Harmonic Minor Scales 3/2 & 2/3
Level VIII
7 Chromatic Scales
Level IX
Level X
Levels VI-X
Level VI
Level VII
Major Scales 3/2 & 2/3
Harmonic Minor Scales 3/2 & 2/3
Level VIII
Chromatic Scales: Parallel Motion at the octave, Minor 3rd, Major 6th & Minor 6th
Chromatic Scales: Contrary Motion at the Octave, Minor 3rd & Major 3rd
Level IX
Level X
Levels XI-XV
Level XI
Major Scales in four Octaves
Major Scales in Thirds & Tenths in Three Octaves
Harmonic Minor Scales in Four Octaves
Harmonic Minor Scales in Thirds & Tenths in Two & Three Octaves
Level XII
Major Scales in Contrary Motion in Two & Three Octaves
Harmonic Minor Scales in Contrary Motion in Two & Three Octaves
Major Scales Syncopated (Staccato/Legato; Legato/Staccato in Three Octaves)
Harmonic Minor Scales Syncopated (Staccato/Legato; Legato/Staccato in Three Octaves)
Major Scales in Double Octaves (played in Two Octaves Staccato/Tremolo)
Harmonic Minor Scales in Double Octaves (Played in Two Octaves Staccato/Tremolo)
Level XIII
Brahms Trill (no.17 from "51 Exercises for the Piano") played in the C,B,F#, C#, Eb & Bb five finger patterns
Hanon Trill ("The Virtuoso Pianist", exercise no. 46)
Chromatic Scale in Double Octaves (Legato/Staccato)
Chromatic Scale in Double Octaves in Thirds (Staccato)
Major Scales in Double Octaves in Thirds (Staccato)
Harmonic Minor Double Octaves in Thirds (Staccato)
Level XIV
Major Arpeggios in Root, 1st & 2nd Inversions (played in Three Octaves)
Harmonic Minor Arpeggios in Root, 1st & 2nd Inversions (played in Three Octaves)
Dom. 7th & Dim. 7th Arpeggios in Root, 1st & 2nd Inversion (played in Three Octaves)
Broken Chords (from Isidor Philipp's "The Complete School of Piano Technique")
Level XV
Major Scales in Double Thirds (played in Two Octaves)
Harmonic Minor Scales in Double Thirds (played in Two Octaves)
4/3 & 3/4 Scales: B Major & A Harmonic Minor