BEGINNER PIANO LESSON DAY 2

LESSON 2 SCALES

Definition
Types (Pentatonic, Hexatonic, Heptatonic)
Diatonic Scale
Major scale and formula
Minor scale and formula
Major scale fingering
Minor scale fingering

SCALE DEFINITION

According to Webster’s Dictionary, it is a graduated series of musical

tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specific
scheme of their intervals.
Scales are classified according to numbers

1) Tritonic scale- 3 note scale

2) Tetratonic scale- 4 note scale
3) Pentatonic scale- 5 note scale
4) Hexatonic scale- 6 note scale
5) Heptatonic scale- 7 note scale
6) Octatonic scale- 8 note scale

DIATONIC SCALE

A diatonic scale in music, is any stepwise arrangement of the seven

“natural” pitches (scale degrees) forming an octave without altering
the established pattern of a key or mode; in particular, the major and
natural minor scales. Some scales, including pentatonic and whole-
tone scales are not diatonic because they do not include the seven
degrees.

MAJOR SCALE

This is the very basic scale in piano playing from which some
advanced works are dwelt upon. This is a type of octatonic scale,
because it is made up of 8 notes. It has a formula for its construction
for which you can play this scale in any key
TERMS
R= Root Key
W= Whole step
H= Half step

Let’s g to the formula right away

Majorscale formula R W W H W W W R
Number system 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Solfa notation D R M F S L T D

Let’s take the key of A as an example. If A is our root key, a whole

step above A gives the 2nd degree key which is B. The 3rd degree is a
whole step above B which C#. The 4th degree is a half step above C#
which is D. The 5th degree is a whole step above D which is E. The 6th
degree is a whole step above E which is F#. The 7th degree is a whole
step above F# which is G#, after which half step above brings us back
to the root. Therefore A major scale

Majorscale formula R W W H W W W R
Notes A B C# D E F# G# A
Number system 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Solfa notation D R M F S L T D

MINOR SCALE

This is another type of octatonic scale because it is made up of 8

notes. Let’s go to the formula right away…

Minorscale formula R W H W W H W W
Number system 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Solfa notation D R MO F S ZI TO D

Let’s take the key A as an example. If A is the root key, then whole
step above gives the 2nd degree, which is B. Half step above B gives
the b3 degree, which is C. Whole step above C gives us the 4th degree
which is D. Whole step above D gives the 5th degree which is E. Half
step above E gives the b6 degree which is F. Whole step above F,
gives us the b7 degree which is G. Whole step from G brings us back
to the root (A)….Therefore A minor scale is

A B C D E F G A
RWH WWHWW

MAJOR SCALE FINGERING

The fingering technique of major scale for all white keys are the same
except for the key of F. Meaning that to play the major scale for keys
C D E G A and B, you will employ this right hand fingering
technique..
Note
THUMB=1
POINTING FINGER=2
MIDDLE FINGER=3
RING FINGER=4
PINKY(smallest)=5

Majorscale formula R W W H W W W R
Fingering technique 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

For the key of F, the fingering technique is

F G A A# C D E F
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Note, where as you would want to continue up the piano playing the
scale, you substitute your 4th finger for the 1st finger (i.e for F major
scale) while you substitute your 5th finger for the 1st finger (i.e for
keys of C D E G A B)

Let’s note the fingering technique for other keys on the piano

KEY C#

C# D# F F# G# A# C C#
2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2
KEY D#

D# F G G# A# C D D#
3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

KEY F#

F# G# A# B C# D# F G#
2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2

KEY G#

G# A# C C# D# F G G#
3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

KEY A#

A# C D D# F G A A#
4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

MINOR SCALE FINGERING

The fingering technique of minor scale for all white keys are the same
except for the key of F. Meaning that to play the minor scale for keys
C D E G A and B, you will employ this right hand fingering
technique

Minorscale formula R W H W W H W W
Fingering technique 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

KEY F

F G G# A# C C# D# F
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

KEY C#

C# D# E F# G# A B C#
2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2
KEY D#

D# F F# G# A# B C# D#
3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

KEY F#

F# G# A B C# D E F#
3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

KEY G#

G# A# B C# D# E F# G#
3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

KEY A#

A# C C# D# F F# G# A#
4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

ASSIGNMENT

Identify the major scale for all 12 keys

Identify the minor scale for all 12 keys
Practice the major scale for all 12 keys using the righthand fingering
technique for each
Practice the minor scale for all 12 keys using the righthand fingering
technique for each

THANKS
CJMUSIC