The Cycle Practice window can be opened in Scales View, using the following command:
| Button | Key | Menu |
| F10 | Scales-Cycle Practice |
It allows you to decide which of the settings in the Practice Panel Grid you wish to vary between each step of the cycle practice, and how they should be varied.
The Practice Options also affect the way in which practice sessions are conducted.
If you decide not to vary any of these settings you will simply get the same practice sequence for each step. However, any or all of the settings can be varied between steps, depending on how straightforward or complex you want the practice session to be.
To make a setting vary between steps, place a tick in its checkbox at the left. Its Variable dropdown list will then be enabled, allowing you to decide how you want to vary it.
To make a setting constant for the practice session, remove the tick from the checkbox at the left. It will then use the value currently in the Practice Panel Grid, which is also shown in the Constant column for your reference.
The different ways in which each setting can be varied are described below.
Controls
Scale
Next Root Note - Selects the scale with a root note one semitone higher. For example, a C Major scale becomes, C# Major, then D Major, and so on.
Prior Root Note - Selects the scale with a root note one semitone lower. For example, a D Major scale becomes, C# Major, then C Major, and so on.
Next Scale Type - Selects the scale with the same root note but changes the scale type to that of the next row in the Scale Matrix. This will depend on how you have ordered your scale types.
Random Root Note - Selects the scale with the same scale type, but with a random root note.
Random Scale Type - Selects the scale with the same root note, but with a random scale type.
Random - Selects a scale of random root note and scale type.
Position
Move Up Fretboard - Changes to the next scale position in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Move Down Fretboard - Changes to the prior scale position in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Random - Chooses a random scale position from those available.
Pattern
Next Pattern - Changes to the next degree pattern in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Prior Pattern - Changes to the prior degree pattern in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Random - Chooses a random degree pattern from those available.
Include
Triad+Random - Includes the triad degrees of the scale, plus an extra random degree from the remainder. For a Major scale, this would be the degrees 1 3 5, plus the random one.
Triad+Random Two - Includes the triad degrees of the scale, plus two extra random degrees from the remainder. For a Major scale, this would be the degrees 1 3 5, plus the random two.
Random Four - Includes any four random degrees of the scale.
Random Five - Includes any five random degrees of the scale.
Random Six - Includes any six random degrees of the scale.
Random Seven - Includes any seven random degrees of the scale.
Rhythm
Next Rhythm - Changes to the next rhythm pattern in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Prior Rhythm - Changes to the prior rhythm pattern in order of how they appear in the Practice Panel Grid.
Random - Chooses a random rhythm pattern from those available.
Tempo
Increase 2 bpm - Increases the tempo by 2 bpm between each step. This causes a gradual acceleration of the practice session as it progresses.
Increase 4 bpm - Increases the tempo by 4 bpm between each step. This causes a moderate acceleration of the practice session as it progresses.
Increase 8 bpm - Increases the tempo by 8 bpm between each step. This causes a rapid acceleration of the practice session as it progresses.
Increase 16 bpm - Increases the tempo by 16 bpm between each step. This causes a very rapid acceleration of the practice session as it progresses.
Random - Chooses a random tempo for each step of the practice session. This can be quite difficult to adapt to and really tests your timing response.
OK
Accepts the settings in the Cycle Practice window, closes it and starts your cycle practice session.
Cancel
Closes the Cycle Practice window without changing any settings, and cancels the practice session.
Help
Opens ChordWizard Help at this topic.
See Also
