Thirds Theory Practice

T.Rex

T.Rex

Sep 19, 2015
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#1
I'm currently trying to practice my scales in thirds but one problem I've run into is alot of people mention playing every scale note (in that specific scale so C major) thirds so for example C E D F G B A C but doesnt practicing in that order of thirds require you to play a few major or minor seconds thus practicing thirds and seconds well only trying to internalized thirds threw hearing (in my case)
 
#2
T.Rex said:
I'm currently trying to practice my scales in thirds but one problem I've run into is alot of people mention playing every scale note (in that specific scale so C major) thirds so for example C E D F G B A C but doesnt practicing in that order of thirds require you to play a few major or minor seconds thus practicing thirds and seconds well only trying to internalized thirds threw hearing (in my case)
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Practicing a scale in thirds means you play the note then the third, not every note in order. In C this would be C - E, D - F, E - G, F - A, G - B, A - C, B - D, (C - E). It just lines up with the key of C (C - Dm - Em - F - G7 - Am - B half-dim - C), you play a major 3rd, then a minor 3rd, minor 3rd, etc. Unless it's too late and I'm too stoned to properly understand the question here...
 
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#3
DiabolusInMusic said:
Practicing a scale in thirds means you play the note then the third, not every note in order. In C this would be C - E, D - F, E - G, F - A, G - B, A - C, B - D, (C - E). It just lines up with the key of C (C - Dm - Em - F - G7 - Am - B half-dim - C), you play a major 3rd, then a minor 3rd, minor 3rd, etc. Unless it's too late and I'm too stoned to properly understand the question here...
Click to expand...


No you got it correct, I do believe your right in your answer I just always thought that to play a scale in thirds you'd ALWAYS be going to play a minor or major third (3 or 4 half steps) after the note just played, you put marks between each pair of notes but for example E to D isn't a third, F to E isn't a third, G to F isn't a third and so on. This really confused me and kinda does to a point still because that kind of practice is technically thirds and seconds
 
#5
T.Rex said:
No you got it correct, I do believe your right in your answer I just always thought that to play a scale in thirds you'd ALWAYS be going to play a minor or major third (3 or 4 half steps) after the note just played, you put marks between each pair of notes but for example E to D isn't a third, F to E isn't a third, G to F isn't a third and so on. This really confused me and kinda does to a point still because that kind of practice is technically thirds and seconds
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I think playing only thirds is another equally useful exercise: After the root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th, keep going to the 9th (2nd), 11th (4th), 13th (6th), and root (two octaves up). There are lots of different ways to practice thirds, each with its own benefits, so don't hesitate to try others or make up your own.

And don't forget to practice descending as well as ascending!
 
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#6
T.Rex said:
No you got it correct, I do believe your right in your answer I just always thought that to play a scale in thirds you'd ALWAYS be going to play a minor or major third (3 or 4 half steps) after the note just played, ...This really confused me and kinda does to a point still because that kind of practice is technically thirds and seconds
Click to expand...

Think about it this way: in your OP exercise, you're playing a series of interval pairs, with each pair including a scale tone followed by its third.
  • R-3
  • 2-4
  • 3-5
  • 4-6
  • 5-7
  • 6-8
  • 7-9 (w/ 9 = 2nd an octave up)
  • 8-10 (w/ 10 = 3rd an octave up)

Squint at that sideways until it starts making sense. At that point, +1 to the suggestions from mambo# and lobstah#
 
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