Academics - Scale Audtion Requirements

General Guidelines

The following guidelines are to be observed when preparing major scales for the annual audition process at Apple Valley High School. Questions should be addressed to your lesson teacher prior to your scale audition.

• Tempo - The only tempo requirements are for those persons taking a Wind Ensemble audition. In those cases, a minimum tempo is ndicated in the following section (by instrument). For those auditioning for Symphonic or Concert Bands, take a tempo that allows you to play the scale with the greatest accuracy and nicest sound possible. It is far better to go slow, play all the notes correctly and with good sound, than to play quickly, miss notes and not sound as good. It is fully realistic that some of the more difficult scales may be played at a slower tempo than more familiar ones. Do not feel that you need to play all scales at the same tempo.
• Order - You may play the scales in any order you wish. If you are auditioning for Wind Ensemble (playing them from memory), you are welcome to bring in a slip of paper with the names of the scales written down in the order you prefer to play them. Obviously, only the starting note of each scale is permitted to be written.
• Articulation - All notes are to be tongued - ascending and descending. Use a legato tongue at all times during the scale audition.
• Playing at Sight - For those not auditioning for Wind Ensemble, you will be using a provided scale sheet in the audition. The scale sheet is identical to the one you have been given, but there will be no opportunity to place marks on the page. In preparing, keep in mind that the copy of the scale sheet from which you will be playing during the audition has no reminder markings on it.

Octave and Tempo Guidelines

• Flute
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending.
• Oboe
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, D, E flat, and F, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, and D, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Bassoon
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, D, and E flat, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Clarinet
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 3 complete octaves: E and F, ascending and descending. From memory, 2 complete octaves: all remaining scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending.
• Alto and Tenor Saxophone
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory 2 complete octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, D, E flat, E and F, ascending and descending. From memory 2 adjusted complete octaves: G flat, G and A flat, and A ascending and descending (ascend one octave plus the first five notes of the next octave, then descend past your starting note to the fifth note of the scale and return to the starting note). Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Alto and Tenor Saxophone – Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight 2 complete octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, D, E flat, E and F, ascending and descending. From sight 1.5 octaves: G flat, G and A flat, and A ascending and descending (ascend one octave plus the first five notes of the next octave, then return to the starting note).
• Trumpet
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory 2 complete octaves: G flat, G, A flat, A, B flat, B, C, and D flat, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight 2 complete octaves: G, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Horn
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight 2 complete octaves: F and G, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Trombone
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: F and G,ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Euphonium
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: F and G, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Tuba
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: all scales, ascending and descending. Performed in tongued sixteenth notes at quarter note = 92.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: F and G, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• String Bass
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: E, F, G flat, G, A flat, A, and B flat, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending. Performed in bowed sixteenth notes at quarter note = 84.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: E, F, G flat, G, A flat, A, and B flat, ascending and descending. All other scales are to be played in 1 complete octave, ascending and descending.
• Xylophone
  • Wind Ensemble: From memory, 2 complete octaves: all scales ascending and descending. Performed in sixteenth notes at quarter note = 104.
  • Symphonic and Concert Bands: From sight, 2 complete octaves: all scales ascending and descending.