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26 One-Octave Major Scales

The major scale includes seven distinct pitches, but we have only five fingers per hand. Consequently we use two hand positions to cover the octave:

123 + 12345

C Major Scale, Right Hand

C Major Scale, Right Hand

The right hand plays CDE with 123. As soon as the thumb releases C, it begins to move behind fingers 2 and 3 so that it is ready to play F with minimal shifting. On the descent, finger 3 crosses over the thumb to play E.

The left-hand fingering is the inverse of the right-hand fingering:

54321 + 321

C Major Scale, Left Hand

C Major Scale, Left Hand

Starting with both thumbs on middle C, play the scale in contrary motion, using the same fingers in each hand.

C Major Scale, contrary motion

C Major Scale, contrary motion

“CAGED” Scale Fingering

The scale fingering above applies to five major keys: C, G, D, A, and E. A mnemonic device for remembering this group is the word “CAGED.”

Write out the scale fingerings on the blank keyboards below. Write the finger number on the appropriate key.

C Major, LH C Major, RH
C Major LH C Major RH
G Major, LH G Major, RH
G Major LH G Major RH
D Major, LH D Major, RH
D Major LH D Major RH
A Major, LH A Major, RH
A Major LH A Major RH
E Major, LH E Major, RH
E Major LH E Major RH

 

Principles of Scale Fingering

  • Use consecutive fingers
  • Alternate between groups of three fingers (123) and four fingers (1234)
  • Do not place 1 on a black key
  • 5 is only used for highest or lowest notes

F Major

Should we use the “CAGED” fingering for the F Major scale? In the left hand, this fingering works well.

 

F Major Scale, Left Hand

F Major Scale, Left Hand

 

If we attempt the same fingering for the right hand, it will require the thumb to play the fourth note of the scale, B-flat. Because the thumb is the shortest finger, it is generally inconvenient for playing black keys. Instead, we will place finger 4 on B-flat and follow it with finger 1 on C.

 

F Major Scale, Right Hand

F Major Scale, Right Hand

 

Write out the scale fingerings on the blank keyboards below. Write the finger number on the appropriate key.

F Major, LH F Major, RH
F Major LH F Major RH

 

B Major

Should we use the “CAGED” fingering for the B Major scale? Yes, this fingering works well for the right hand.

 

B Major Scale, Right Hand

B Major Scale, Right Hand

 

If we attempt the same fingering for the left hand, finger 1 will be placed on a black key, F-sharp. To avoid this, we place 1 on E. Working backwards from 1 on E, we find that the scale should start with finger 4 on B.

 

B Major Scale, Left Hand

B Major Scale, Left Hand

 

Write out the scale fingerings on the blank keyboards below. Write the finger number on the appropriate key.

B Major, LH B Major, RH
B Major LH B Major RH

 

Make a mental note of which scales have the same fingerings. Here’s one way to conceptualize it:

 

 

The five “CAGED” keys have the same fingerings for both right hand and left hand. F is alike to CAGED for left hand, but unique for right hand. B is alike to CAGED for right hand, but unique for left hand.

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Baylor Piano Basics Copyright © by Michael Clark. All Rights Reserved.