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
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
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
“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 |
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| G Major, LH | G Major, RH |
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| D Major, LH | D Major, RH |
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| A Major, LH | A Major, RH |
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| E Major, LH | E Major, RH |
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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
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
Write out the scale fingerings on the blank keyboards below. Write the finger number on the appropriate key.
| F Major, LH | F Major, RH |
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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
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
Write out the scale fingerings on the blank keyboards below. Write the finger number on the appropriate key.
| B Major, LH | B Major, RH |
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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.