9 Intervals: 2nds–5ths

Unlike wind and brass instruments, which require specific fingers to play specific keys, any finger may play any key on the piano. The best fingering depends on context. Developing a tactile sense of interval size and learning which finger combinations best fit each interval will help you find notes on the piano more easily.

Let’s begin with seconds (2nds), thirds (3rds), fourths (4ths), and fifths (5ths).

9.1

Practice the various finger combinations for playing 2nds in the right hand (RH):

9.2

Now practice finger combinations for 2nds in the left hand (LH):

9.3

Practice the various finger combinations for 3rds in RH:

9.4

Practice the various finger combinations for 3rds in LH:

9.5

Practice the two finger combinations for 4ths in the RH:

9.6

Practice the two finger combinations for 4ths in the LH:

9.7

Practice playing 5ths in each hand:

9.8

For additional practice, shift one interval up by stepping through the scale while keeping the same fingering:

etc.