62 Two-Octave Major Arpeggios
Recall the two groups of major arpeggios introduced in Unit 5. Both groups have the same fingering for the right hand: 1-2-3-5. The two groups differ in fingering for the left hand:
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
| F, C, and G Major | B, E, A, and D Major |
| LH: 5-4-2-1 | LH: 5-3-2-1 |
| One white key between do and mi | Two white keys between do and mi |
| “Major BEAD shoots left-hand 3s.” | |
| Both Groups | |
| RH: 1-2-3-5 for all white-key tonics | |
The change in fingering is due to differing distances between the first two notes:
- LH Arpeggio Fingering Rule #1: When there is only one white key between do and mi, use finger 4.
- LH Arpeggio Fingering Rule #2: When there are two white keys between do and mi, use finger 3.
Expanding to Two-Octaves
Like scales, arpeggio fingerings repeat every octave. To expand past one octave, replace finger 5 with 1 and repeat the pattern.
RH: 123 + 123 + 5
LH Group 1: 5 + 421 + 421
LH Group 2: 5 + 321 + 321
Use finger 5 only for the highest note of the arpeggio in the right hand and the lowest note of the arpeggio for the left hand.
Group 1 Arpeggios
F Major
F Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
F Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
F Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
F Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
C Major
C Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
C Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
C Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
C Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
G Major
G Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
G Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
G Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
G Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Group 2 Arpeggios
D Major
D Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
D Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
D Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
D Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
A Major
A Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
A Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
A Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
A Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
E Major
E Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
E Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
E Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
E Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
B Major
B Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
B Major Arpeggio, Right Hand
B Major Arpeggio, Left Hand
Write out the arpeggio fingering on the blank keyboard below:
B Major Arpeggio, Left Hand