Scales

The last few days, I have been skipping scales and exercises.  Instead, I've been playing the notes to the first Double using the same sorts of rhythms and bowings I would use for a scale.  It allows me to warm up and work on intonation in the Bach at the same time.  I practice each line with a metronome the way  would practice a scale:  first one note per bow, then two, then three, then four...  It has improved my Bach.

On the other hand, I heard a beautiful concert tonight featuring the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.  It's the first time I've seen that concerto performed live.  Watching the soloist's good technique reminded me that scales do come in handy in repertoire.  Scales may seem just in the way of me playing Bach in my limited practice time, but au contraire, they are central to all music!  One can't wait/"doesn't have to" wait till one is learning the Tchaikovsky to start practicing the scales and arpeggios in that concerto...

I would like to learn that concerto in my lifetime.  I'm hoping for a long life in which to progress to the Tchaikovsky, but I'm practicing now, rather than later, since the only time you can really count on is the present.  Who knows how many years I'll have to achieve my goal?