Playing Scales In Intervals

[Scalestein]

I've seen this term/technique thrown around a decent amount but I'm not exactly sure I know what it is. I've always thought it was going up or down a scale using one interval. For example if your interval was a third and on a CMaj scale it would be:
C-E D-F E-G G-B A-C etc.

Is this the gist of it? Do you usually pick a generic interval such as a third or do you specify it to only minor thirds, causing outside notes?

[WillPlay4Food]

To me you have the right idea. Use only scale tones and play the 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, etc. through octaves.

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by Scalestein

Is this the gist of it? Do you usually pick a generic interval such as a third or do you specify it to only minor thirds, causing outside notes?

Generally the "generic" interval, keeping all notes diatonic.

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Generally the "generic" interval, keeping all notes diatonic.

Doing so really helps you to "hear" the key, I find.

[DocBop]

I also like to go up an interval then down the next, has more musicial sound. So C major in thirds would be:

C-E-F-D-E-G-A-F-G-B-C-A.....

Sounds really cool doing it in fourths. Also play your scale in intervals over two octave range. Really helps you get your technique and fretboard knowledge together.

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by DocBop

I also like to go up an interval then down the next, has more musicial sound. So C major in thirds would be:

C-E-F-D-E-G-A-F-G-B-C-A.....

Sounds really cool doing it in fourths. Also play your scale in intervals over two octave range. Really helps you get your technique and fretboard knowledge together.

Right on, Doc!

While we're at it, might as well just cut to the chase and recommend "Patterns For Jazz" by Jerry Coker.

[davvo]

Yes, it is. In italian it sound like as "jumping of 3rd, 4rt...up to 8th".
They are present in all the methods I used for any instruments (sax, cello, piano). They are usually performed on the C key, but I found them very useful on other keys, once you have learned it! There is nothing like scales, interval and arpeggios for learning technique and training the ear

[cowsgomoo]

it's a pretty essential thing to practice because it's one step that bridges the gap between whizzing up and down scales and being able to create more useful melodic material...

one great thing to practice is taking a short phrase of 3-4 notes and playing its equivalent on each scale tone...

eg in C major:

C-E-F-A
D-F-G-B
E-G-A-C
F-A-B-D

so you can hear how the same phrase changes character over diatonic chords... how the notes of the phrases become major or minor etc...

if you then apply the 'skipping intervals' concept in the original post, you can begin your phrases on altenating notes i.e.

C-E-F-A
E-G-A-C
D-F-G-B
F-A-B-D

and all of a sudden, you have something that sounds like music! there are zillions of ways to vary this kind of thing

[liltommyg]

Cowsgomoo is on the money.
If you think in numbers it also helps and can be applied to any scale - Dorian , Mixolydian , Wholetone etc.
Eg ; 1234,2345,3456
1324,2435,3546
the possibilities are huge
you can then start mixing patterns
a three note followed by a five note followed by a four note
or maybe a six.