Broken Intervals?

[Zachass]

I was reading Pacman's scale method and there was a post where he talks about practicing broken intervals.

I would recommend learn the scale patterns first. Later, when you're doing scales by broken intervals (we all do this, right?) you can concentrate more on that. Of course, you'll have to be at least familiar with the intervals to construct a given scale. Great question

What are broken intervals and how do you practice them?

[BassChuck]

Generally speaking, a the term 'interval' would mean 2 notes played at the same time (a chord is usual meant to be more than 2 notes, but it doesn't have to be). "Broken Intervals" would seem to mean 2 note chords with the notes played at slightly different times... like an arpeggio. The term "broken chords" means the same thing, notes played as arpeggios.

"Arpeggio" for some people might mean playing the notes from the bottom up at a stead tempo. "Broken Chords" (or intervals) is a bit more open term meaning that the pattern and speed of the individual notes may vary as determined by the style of the music.

And please note the standard disclaimer of..... IMHO

[Pacman]

No.

Broken thirds would mean playing a scale as such : 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 9 8
4ths would be 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 8 7 10 8

Etc, etc.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

(a chord is usual meant to be more than 2 notes, but it doesn't have to be)

Well, yes, actually it does have to be.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by lemur821

Well, yes, actually it does have to be.

Do NOT start this discussion again.

[BassChuck]

I love it when something in music HAS to be something or other.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Do NOT start this discussion again.

I didn't know we'd had it before. And according to the Norton/Grove Concise Encyclopedia of Music, I'm wrong, so maybe I'll just shut up.

[Zachass]

Got it, thanks Pacman I'll start adding that to the routine. I take it this helps the ear as well as helping you feel the intervals.

[Howard K]

I'd never heard that terminology before either. Good stuff.

[Myke Myke]

sorry to bump this...
but what are some advantages of doing broke thirds?

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by Myke Myke

sorry to bump this...
but what are some advantages of doing broke thirds?

It provides an alternative to playing scales in a linear fashion and breaks patterns and habits created by doing so. It also works your left and right hands together, helping make smooth, precise movement from note to note and string to string second nature.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

I love it when something in music HAS to be something or other.

Actually, it does. If we all got to make our own rules for theory nomenclature, there wouldn't be much of a point in the system existing.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Actually, it does. If we all got to make our own rules for theory nomenclature, there wouldn't be much of a point in the system existing.

Word is we've had this discussion before.

[nohbudi]

Originally Posted by Pacman

No.

Broken thirds would mean playing a scale as such : 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 9 8
4ths would be 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 8 7 10 8

Etc, etc.

Vocally, this would just be considered singing a scale in thirds, as most people are incapable of using both sets of vocal chords simultaneously, let alone with that degree of control.

[Myke Myke]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

It provides an alternative to playing scales in a linear fashion and breaks patterns and habits created by doing so. It also works your left and right hands together, helping make smooth, precise movement from note to note and string to string second nature.

thanks for the reply!

[Dharmabum]

I'm a huge proponent of practicing scales with broken intervals and have every single one of my students do it.

It definitely helped me hear the inherent melody in each scale and made my practicing much more musical.

Also, try practicing melodic phrases based off of broken intervals, ie

1321 2432 3543 etc