Crabbers Scale Manuals

'Before I  was introduced to the crabbers scale manual I could do scales but I never enjoyed them. What I love about this new method is its creativity and ability to really make you think about practical finger patterns. I'm a numbers person so this manual was great for me.
Ben Malitskie Viola

Crabbers is an imaginative and welcome fresh approach to the building block of string playing, scales technique. Both well-presented and well-realised, it must be attractive to those who are discouraged by even the cover of a Whitehouse and Tabb scales manual. Taking the fingering into isolation allows the student to concentrate on one aspect of the learning process, and the cello manual has been worked with admirable dedication and thoughtfulness by David Burrowes. The sections on split thirds are a particularly excellent addition to study. 
Justin Pearson, Chairman-London Cello Society

Mr Crabtree's scale system is absolutely brilliant, and is so clear to understand. The new context of playing scales by using just notes and letters is for me a pleasant change from a traditional scale book - I play through scales every day before starting my repertoire and using the book saves me so much valuable time. I would recommend this book most strongly, to professional and amateurs alike, as it creates a sense of achievement after finishing scale after scale. Also, there is a scale chart which I find invaluable; it gives me the chance to mix and match all the various scales. I have found that this helps improve my intonation as the more difficult scales are worked on each day. I thank Mr Richard Crabtree for investing so much of his time producing this wonderful manual - the value of it is priceless. Julia Hwang violin 

"The crabbers scale manual is the best system for learning scales! The clear presentation of note names with corresponding finger patterns, along with bowings and string changes, makes learning and memorising scales simple and straight forward. You automatically memorise the finger patterns and develop aural awareness through reading the notes in a 'grid/table' format, rather than reading endless lines of exhaustive staved notation."
Ronan MacManus violin/viola

"After making the transition from folk to classical the crabbers scale manual has been invaluable. It follows the patterns most string players use; notes and fingers, and has completely transformed the way I play my scales!"
Mike Cooper classical viola/folk violin

'The scale system has allowed me to learn scales highly efficiently, in particular double stopping scales. The logic behind fingering has also filtered into my approach to pieces and in my own teaching. An excellent resource.'
Tom Hedges viola