The Piano Scales Manual
Author: W. Kent
The most important training of any piano player is learning the scales.
Trouble from learning the scales comes from the fingering. If the human hand was meant to play the piano it would have seven fingers. Since there are seven notes in the scale, all scales are fingered by some combination of 1-2-3 and 1-2-3-4. Now where do I put my thumb is the question.
Fingering the scales has plenty of systems; but the simplest and the best for the ear player can be simply stated. Put the thumb on the key next above the black key played in the right hand and next below the black key played in the left hand. This principle brings the best fingering on a formal piano.
Fingering for all scales is listed below. Fingering memorization is not needed. Learn the principle of passing the thumb in under the hand when the fourth finger is on a black key and when the third finger is on a black key. The greatest difficulty is the overcome by holding this one principle, the hand will form its own habit.
Key of - right hand - left hand
C - 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 - 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1
C# or Db - 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 - 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4
D - 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 - 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2
Eb - 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 - 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3
E - 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 - 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1
F - 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 - 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3
F# or Gb - 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 - 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4
A - 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 - 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2
Bb - 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 - 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3
B or Cb - 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 - 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
At the end of the scale is the only time the 5th finger is used.
Scale Habits
Through several octaves is the best way to master scales; each octave the fingering repeats. To get the correct fingering you must practice slowly. This is because you are forming a fingering habit; the wrong move will develop a wrong habit. As you learn the sequence your speed will increase. Now try playing two together when comfortable playing scales separately with both hands.
To play in the middle and play with hand in opposite direction makes learning a bit more easily. Playing them in direction an octave apart is the most helpful form of practice.
Practice without an accent very slowly. Then accent every third note and play them for three octaves. Then accent every fourth note and play them for four octaves. Even at the top of the piano scales it brings out the accents. Gets faster gradually trust me.
Technique
These tips will help you develop smooth and speed techniques. Keep fingers curved when learning the scales. It’s easier for the thumb to under pass the hand. When necessary bend the thumb far in under the hand.
When passing the thumb under the hand do not raise your wrist; unless needed do not twist your hand to the left or right. The thumb should do the work. Do not pull the hand to the front when playing white keys and then shove it in to play the black keys. In short, avoid all excess motion.
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Piano questions… How can I get my finger to make a solid sound?
When I play fast scales on the piano, my fifth and fourth finger always make such a small sound compared to my other fingers and it sounds bad… what should I do to fix it?
try rotating your hand so the weight of the hand gives the fingers more strenght. if u have long arms your seat may be too low so raise it so your arms are straight. hope this helps
What is the easiest way to learn scales on piano?
I’m teaching my self how to play the piano. I can play most of the minor and major chords. Only problem is the scales. I want to know does anybody know a fast way to learn and memorize the scales?
This idea is kinda weird but it helped me, take each letter in th scale and think of a word that begins with the same letter, now do this for every letter in the scale and then you can change the words so that when you line them up they make a fun sentence! This is kind of confusing let me know if you need more detail!
This also works for learning sharps and flats.
How do you play runs on the piano without it sounding choppy?
I am having real trouble playing scale runs on the piano with out it sounding choppy. Bringing the thumb from F to C on the piano does not sound even with the rest of the tones of the scale even though I practice slowly. Does anyone have a method to play runs fast without it sounding choppy. I already have Hanon’s Virtuoso Pianist handbook.
Practice slowly and make all of the notes in the scale the same length and volume- don’t strike the keys that hard- I have never had that problem, I strike the keys the same length and volume
How can I play scales in piano really fast?
I have to learn how to play scales really fast in piano. I am trying to learn to play Hungarian Rhapsody no.2 but there are scales that have to be played REALLY FAST. Whenever I try to play that part, I can’t play it as fast, my fingers get sloppy, I don’t press the right keys and the keys are not pressed in a smooth pace.
Any tips on how to play scales fast and smoothly?
start slowly and use a metronome! this works EVERY time your have to play something complicated fast. start off so slowly, that its literally impossible to make a mistake. then move your metronome down two notches. play it again, and continue doing this until you reach the speed that you want. only move it down when you have played it through without any mistakes. you cant play anything fast without first playing it slow. otherwise, you can’t actually play it, and that’s when it gets sloppy.
How can you play piano fast easily?
I keep on trying to play scales fast and I keep on messing up. When my piano teacher asks me to play a fast song and I keep on making mistakes, he looks at me as if I’m stupid. My life isn’t dedicated to piano. I am so frustrated.