This page is part of the Musicarta Patreon 'Scale City' offering. If you have not already done so, browse the series home page for orientation, and work methodically for maximum benefit.

You should already have worked through the introductory two-octave scales page. This page applies a similar practice template to the flat keys F through A flat.

The scale practice Contour Diagrams

Here are the Contour Diagrams for the scale practice routine here demonstrated. Try, as much as possible, to play from the pattern, rather than following the notes.

There is 'from the middle' pattern [U2 D2 U3 D3 U4 D4 U2 D2] first - no diagram.

F major

Remind yourself of the F major"key-specific keyboard". As soon as you see that one-flat key signature, these are the keys you play!

Build up "from the middle thumbs", pausing the video to practice each pattern. This isn't a play-along video - practice the patterns at your own speed, initially.

B flat major

In the build-up of flats, the tonic (name-note) is the next-to-last flat, and the new flat affects the fourth of the scale.

Practice the patterns in the video one by one.

E flat major

Three flats. You add A flat, giving the fourth note in the scale.

Practice the patterns in the video one by one.Remind yourself to discriminate between the 2-on-the-tonic 'convenience fingering' and the the 'for-real' RH/LH3.

Check the reliability of your scale fingering by playing the patterns from the contour diagrams.

A flat major

Add D flat, on the fourth of the scale. The last-but-one flat - A flat - gives the tonic.

Practice the patterns in the video one by one. Afterwards, see if you can play from the Contour Diagram master diagram, below.

Regular practice

As soon as you can, play your two-octave flat scales direct from the Contour Diagrams.

The last of these three pages hosts the "all-the-black-keys" scales.