A lot of today’s pop music uses major keys. Major scales are usually the first scales to tackle on the piano as they are most commonly used in everyday music. Pieces in a major key are generally associated with upbeat, happy music. If you analyze a piece of music and the notes are based on the C major scale, then the piece of music will be in the key of C major. On the piano, we play the scales with both hands simultaneously. What Is a Scale?Ī scale in music is a collection of notes that represent the same key. They begin on what is called the ‘Tonic’ note, or the key note. Each scale represents a key. This way you’ll combine theory and practice.

We assure you: If you practice all the major and minor scales on the piano you will greatly improve your overall skills. Just implement them in your piano warm-up. Scales are a vital part of learning the piano and developing your skills, whether you are struggling with your improvisation skills, or simply want to learn the theory behind the music. Let us walk you through each scale and determine how it’s best played on the piano.

But, to spare you the details of learning about double-sharps, some notes have been written differently.Are you trying to learn all the major and minor scales on the piano but find the whole matter confusing – all those sharps and flats? Well, it’s not really hard once you grasp the concept of it. Traditionally, scales should only have one instance of every note.

It's important to exclusively use either sharps or flats in a single scale.įingerings: 1 = Thumb, 2 = Index Finger, 3 = Middle Finger, 4 = Ring Finger, 5 = Little (pinky) Finger. The reason a scale can be a sharp or a flat (for example: C♯ / D♭ minor) is that these are the same note, just a different way of expressing it. Each note included in the scale is highlighted in blue on each minor scale's piano diagram below.įlat (♭) and sharp (♯) scales: All of the sharp and flat minor scales are in the right column, next to their natural counterpart. Each key is highlighted in blue in the text of each minor scale. The Key: The key is what each scale starts on and is built from, this is known as the tonic.

There has been an additional note added at the end of each scale that represents the beginning of the scale in the next octave up (which is just the same scale in a higher pitch). Containing 7 notes, these form heptatonic scales. This list of minor scales will help you understand music scales on the piano.

D flat minor piano scale