District 7 PMEA Band/Orchestra Scale Requirements

Information for all instruments

  • Audition scales are to be performed by memory in eighth notes at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 mm. If the scales are not performed according to the stated eighth note rhythmic pattern, a scoring deduction will be made.
  • Woodwind & Brass players must play scales tongued and/or slurred as directed by the audition judge.
  • String players must play scales four notes to a bow, repeating the key tone as an eighth note.
  • The chromatic scale for strings is to be played slurred, four notes per bow. Repeat the key tone (in tempo) at the top of the scale only. Do not repeat the key tone in the middle of the scale.
  • Snare Drum - The 26 standard rudiments in lieu of scales to be performed from memory. Click here for a list.
  • Mallets - All major scales and arpeggios, and the chromatic scale (two octaves) to be performed by memory. All arpeggios are to be performed without internal repetition.
  • click here for sample scales (including mallet examples) or click on the individual instruments below to access complete scales for individual instruments.
  • a scoring rubric will be utilized this year for scales. click here for .pdf file.

If you have questions about the scale requirements, contact the audition repertoire chairperson.

SCALE REQUIREMENTS
**click on the instrument name for individual scale requirements (pdf)**
***NUMBER INDICATES NUMBER OF OCTAVES***

For a nice clean printable version of this chart, click here.

Instrument

C

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

Db

Gb

Cb

C#

F#

B

E

A

D

G

Chromatic

FLUTE

3

2
2
2
2
2
2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3 (C to C)

OBOE

2

2
1
2
1
2
1

2

2

1

2

2

1

2

1

Low Bb to High F

BASSOON

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

1

2

2

1

2

2

2

2

2 (Low F to High F)

Eb & Bb CLARINETS

2
3
2
2
2
2
3

2

2

3

2

3

2

2

3

Low E to High G

ALTO & BASS CLARINETS

2
2
2
1
2
1
2

2

1

2

2

2

2

1

2

Low E to High C

CONTRABASS CLARINET

2

2
2
1
2
1
2

2

1

2

2

2

2

1

2

Low E to High C

All SAXOPHONES

2

2
2
2
1
2
1

2

2

1

2

2

1

2

1

Low Bb to High F

CORNET/TRUMPET

2
1
2
1
2
1
2

2

1

2

2

1

2

1

2

2 (C-C)

FRENCH HORN

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
 2 (G-G)

TROMBONE/EUPHONIUM
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
 2 (Bb-Bb)

EUPHONIUM - TREBLE CLEF

 Euphonium TC will play the same pitched scales as Euphonium BC, see transposed example page for exact requirements.  
BASS TROMBONE
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
 2 (F-F)

TUBA

1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
 2 (Bb-Bb)

KEYBOARD PERCUSSION
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
 2 (C-C)

VIOLIN

2
2
3
2
3
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
3
2
3
 3 (G to G )

VIOLA

3
2
2
2
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
2
3
2
 2 (C to C)

CELLO

3

3
2
3
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
3
2
3
2
 2 (C to C)
STRING BASS
1
2
2
1
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
2
1
2
 2 (E to E)

Instrument

C

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

Db

Gb

Cb

C#

F#

B

E

A

D

G

Chromatic