Learn How to Play Piano Scales

(Scroll down to see the full list of lessons in this section)

Piano scales allow your hands to gain practice while teaching your brain which note belongs to which key.

Practicing these scales will be necessary in order to imprint these locations into your brain. Pathways are created between your mind and the nerves and muscles of your hands.

Many students become overwhelmed with the amount of practice necessary in learning the piano, however it is absolutely necessary to routinely practice in order to learn piano.

Repeating scales should not be considered as simply an exercise for your hands and should always be taken seriously. Concentration is necessary while practicing your scales, distractions will prevent you from receiving the most of your time. Leaning scales is a two-step process: first you must learn scales using only one hand, followed by the use of both hands.

A musical scale is a series of notes composed of different pitches delivered in a specific manner. While learning the piano, you will encounter both major and minor scale. They are variations of the diatonic scale, which is constructed with intervals of 5 whole steps and 2 half steps. The major scale is constructed as followed:

whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half

The scale is built of eight notes, the first 7 notes are distinct and complimentary and the eight is a repetition of the first note. The minor scale is slightly more complicated, made up of three scale degrees: tonic, minor third and perfect-fifth. The minor scale is:

whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole

You will quickly notice key differences between both scales including the position of the 3rd and 6th notes, their different moods and location of intervals.

There are many advantages in practicing piano scales. As previously mentioned, they will aid in remembering the location of each key by creating pathways from your hands to your head. They are also beneficial in the development of dexterity and technique.

Practicing both scales will improve your timing and hearing skills when playing piano songs. You must engage your mind while practicing scales by not allowing yourself to practice scales mindlessly. If you focus and apply some work hard, you will reap the benefits.

One of the key elements of piano scales is fingering. It is important to become comfortable with your piano in order to deliver smooth melodies and rhythms. Your decision concerning which finger to use for each note is a personal decision.

You will find advised positioning while learning the basics. These suggestions tend to be the most comfortable. It is important to find the right fingering for you as this will allow you to play both rapidly and evenly.

Once you are ready to dedicate your time and effort to the practice of scales, you must find an instructional book or website. These educational formats will teach you theories of scales, proper techniques and hand positioning.

By learning and memorizing your scales you will create the building block of piano music as they are the foundation of any musical piece. If you are capable of playing scales perfectly, you will be playing piano beautifully in no time.

Learn How to Play Piano Scales:

1. Learn Major Scales on Piano
   
   The major scales on piano are the most popular scales in music. Almost all songs that we hear nowadays are derived of the major scale. If you listen to some songs, you will identify the eight note scale on one of its 15 variations that include minor scale deviations.
2. Natural Minor Scales on Piano
   
   The good thing about learning minor scales is that, if you already know your major scales, then you have much less to learn than if you didn’t know anything.
3. Melodic Minor Scales on Piano
   
   Melodic minor scales are a variation on harmonic minor scales on piano. Only minor scales are melodic, and there is no such thing as a “melodic major” scale.
4. Harmonic Minor Scales on Piano
   
   A minor scale can have two forms, a harmonic and a melodic form. Minor scales have associated scales which occur in the major. In other words, every major scale has a relative minor scale with the same key signature as its own and which starts on its sixth note.
5. Beginner Piano Improvisation Lessons
   
   An astounding number of piano players know nothing about improvisation. Some think of it as that quirky place you go to with friends on weekends and comedians take suggestions from the audience, but don’t think it has any relationship to piano.
6. Exercises To Help You Master The Major Scales
   
   Every piece of music that you have ever heard involves scales. Whether a chromatic scale, harmonic minor scale, major scale, or diminished scale, all music is built from the same foundation.
7. Piano Scale & Chord Fingering
   
   Fingered piano music deems each note with a particular number that represents to one of the fingers of a hand. You can see the numbers 1-5 written above or below notes in particular songs and scales.
8. Harmonizing the Minor Scales
   
   The process of harmonizing the minor scales is slightly more complicated than its counterpart the major scales, hard work and determination are the only qualifications for triumph.

Learn How to Play Piano Scales | Piano Scales For Beginners