Practicing the C scale in the first position can help you in a variety of ways, but the ones that we will focus on in this lesson are technique, ear training (in this case, hearing intervals) and comprehension of the relationship between the strings. Begin by learning the scale:
Using an alternating down-up stroke with a pick, play the notes in the order as shown and then reverse. Practice slowly, until you can play the scale smoothly, both ascending and descending. Listen carefully and strive to produce a clean, consistent sound.
When you can play the scale clearly and evenly, begin to sing the scale degree numbers (1 through 8) as you play up and down the scale. (In the C scale, C is scale degree 1, D is scale degree 2, E is scale degree 3, etc.) Be sure to match your voice precisely to the notes you’re playing.
When you are ready for more of a challenge, you can use the exercise for ear training. Start by playing and singing the intervals based on tonic, or C. Play the first note of the scale (C on the 5th string), followed by the next note (D), while singing “1 – 2, major second.” Continue by playing C, E and singing the scale degree numbers and interval name (1 – 3, major third), and then C, F (1 – 4, perfect fourth), and so on through the scale (P5, M6, M7, P8). After warming up this way, you can begin to skip around and play random intervals, challenging yourself to sing them correctly as you play.