So here it is!
Scales are a vital part of any practice session and should be treated with respect.
As Andres Segovia once said,
'The practice of scales enables one to solve a greater number of technical problems in a shorter time than the study of any other exercise.'
Below are the first two pages of Chapter 2 of The Guitar Gymnasium.
The entire chapter consists of 16 pages of explanations and guidance, the occasional inspiring quote, 13 original exercises and a few old favourites.
The original exercises have been designed by Robin to achieve many things.
Some are excellent warm-up and stamina building exercises, others concentrate on avoiding awkward string crossings by examining technique.
You can click on the image to enlarge if required.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0bqFt2IvxOL8Vbjiql46LHreq9mZZnz3ct2H2P_yysxc00XEz5Su0Z4gMZgvHM0Y0lZgId2c0uFYQUAJKHchPncydTeLPHtnO-P7n7YfOsHOXzJaOMu8JxIoxRhOHs7YYNEvIg/s400/Guitar+Gymnasium+The+Scale+1.jpg)
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Throughout the chapter Robin reiterates that the printed fingering in any book is not sacred. Usually there are a number of alternatives and one shouldn't be afraid to experiment.
He finishes the chapter with the demanding scale workout by Nicolo Paganini, 'Moto Perpetuo', which he has transposed from C major to A major and fingered to facilitate fluency and velocity.
As Robin says at the end of the chapter....'Good Luck'