The Musicarta Scale Fingering Groups pages explain in a methodical how the scales at the keyboard are fingered. Start with Group One and work through the series consistently to build a reliable 'bird's-eye view', as per the Scale Fingering Group diagram below.

Scale Fingering Group One

The fingering is the 'standard' scale fingering that most ex-piano pupils remember!

You start with the thumb on the tonic (name-note of the scale), and play 1 - 2 - 3, then pass the thumb under on to the fourth note of the scale and play 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - ending with 5 on the octave (also name-note).

That is:

1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

The thumb is always on the tonic, and you add sharps (one for G, two for D etc.) as you go through the keys. The last sharp added always governs the seventh scale-tone.

The Group One scales

Watch the video straight through to let the overall plan sink in.

Here are the key signatures for the Group One scales/keys. Notice the order in which the sharps accumulate.

Next:

• Study the scale specific keyboards, one at a time;
• Identify the 'group of three' and 'group of five' (incorporating any key signature); and
• Play/practice the scale. Use the scale practice patterns, or just fly solo.

If necessary, use the "3 x 5 + 1 x 8" exercises (right hand only) to smooth things out.

C major

All white keys - no sharps or flats.

You're only looking at the RH/treble clef at the moment. The lozenge shape indicates the tonic/name-note. You're playing the fingered octave (top row = RH). More info on key-specific keyboards here.

G major

One sharp: F#, the semitone below the octave/tonic. Remember - right hand only.

D major

https://vimeo.com/542308233/b25e156476

Two sharps: F# (carried over from G) and C sharp. The new sharp is always the semitone below the octave.

A major

Three sharps: F#, C# and G#. Remember - right hand only.

E major

Four sharps: F#, C#, G#, and new D#. (Right hand only.)

Note that all four scales so far have the 'conventional' Group Two fingering in the left hand (up next).

B major

Five sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#.

That's all the Group One scales. Group One is a right-hand-only group!

Now go on to Group Two, the simple left hand scales.