Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Piano Major Scales (Basic Fingering Concepts) #1: One Central Concept
Do you want to understand piano scale fingering concepts better? At their core, all piano scales are based upon a central concept that helps simplify the fingering. Keep reading for piano major scales – basic fingering concepts.
Piano Major Scales (Basic Fingering Concepts) #2: How Does the Fingering Work?
Mobile users: for best results reading the examples, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
I, like every piano instructor, teach the major scales:
- However, piano fingering is much more hand position based (see the C position diagram above for an example) than scale based.
- Which means that I focus on hand positions in lessons rather than the piano major scales.
- With trumpet, guitar, singing, and every other instrument I’ve studied, you learn a scale and then you actually use it.
- On piano, you use the full major scales… occasionally.
- So, if you’re a music teacher, by all means teach the major scales. However, I suggest you don’t worry over it too much.
Think about it. What is a C major scale piano fingering for the right hand (RH) except part of the C position fingering and all of the F position fingering with a finger crossover connecting them?
- The keyboard diagram below shows how the C major scale looks on piano.
- The sheet music example below the keyboard diagram shows the piano scale’s fingering as it relates to the hand positions.
- The sharp key major scales on the piano mostly follow this fingering pattern for the right hand.
- Regardless, all piano scales are hand position based except for the chromatic scale.
- Once you know what the hand positions are for each key, it’ll help simplify memorizing them.
The C Major Scale for Piano:
Piano Major Scales (Basic Fingering Concepts) #3: Final Thoughts
Here’s a Summary of Piano Major Scales (Basic Fingering Concepts):
- While the full scales do get used in compositions, it isn’t too often.
- Conversely, the five-finger hand positions are the heart and soul of piano technique.
- This explains why young students start with the five-finger positions so that playing them will become second nature.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- The C Major Key (Including the C Major Chords)
- The G Major Key (Including the G Major Chords)
- D’you Want Some Music Tips and Tricks I’ve Learned Over the Years?
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
Back to the All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics category blogs page
What Are Some Elegant Examples of Polyphony?
Are you confused about what polyphony is? Do you want to know how to write counterpoint? Elegant can mean tasteful, but it can also mean well-designed, which these example pieces are. Counterpoint and polyphony appear in arrangements in many different styles and will enhance your writing skills no matter what type of music you write. Keep reading “What Are Some Elegant Examples of Polyphony” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
What’s the Secret of Practicing Arpeggios?
“What’s the secret of practicing arpeggios?” Arpeggios are both an important playing technique and a useful compositional device. They can add a flowing grace to your playing. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
Why Do Crazy Chromatic Notes and Chords Work?
Have you ever seen a crazy chromatic scale or chord and wondered why it works? Do you want to understand how to write them? Chromatic notes and harmonies are effective because they take bad sounding dissonance and resolve it to good sounding consonance. Keep reading “Why Do Crazy Chromatic Notes and Chords Work?” to learn how chromatic harmony functions. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
What Do You Think of the Chord Buddy for Special Needs Guitarists?
“What do you think of the Chord Buddy for special needs guitarists?” I first heard about using the Chord Buddy with special needs students from Sarah Fard at the 2019 Able Assembly. However, I’ve found it works better for some students than for others. Read more to find out who benefits. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More