As a teacher of students who take Grade exams, I know that the technical exercise of scales and arpeggios are part and parcel of the exam syllabus at any grade. I also understand the reluctance from students who don’t like practicing them and I do my best to make them interesting and not a chore.

Playing scales are essential for good intonation and the understanding of the different keys you play music in and therefore not just for grade exams.

So here are a few tips to make scales more appealing-

1. Play scales with different types of bowing such as hooked bowing

2. Play scales to practice vibrato

3. Play scales with different rhythms or four semiquavers 

4. Treat them as a piece of music rather than a study, put dynamics in and shape them.

5. Scales also improve your position changing so another reason to do them.

I hope these tips help but be assured you will become a better player for learning and practicing scales.