This series of four pages presents a condensed one-octave practice drill for all twelve major scales in both similar and contrary motion.

The Scale Fingering Groups

Take a moment to look at the scale fingering group information - it will help you get an 'aerial view' of scale fingering, rather than trying to remember the fingering key by key.

The twelve two-handed major scales fall into four groups:

• '2H/SFG1*': C and sharp keys to E (RH SFG1 + LH SFG2)
• '2H/SFG2': Flat keys B flat to D flat (RH SFG3 + LH SFG4)
• '2H/SFG3': 'Odd Men Out' catch-up - F (RH 4+4, LH SFG2) and B (RH SFG1 + LH 4+4). 
  
• '2H/SFG4': the 'All-Blacks' (both hands SFG5) - D flat, F sharp (enh. G flat) and B majors.
  

*'2H/SFG' stands for "two-handed scale fingering group" - the
groups of two-handed scales with similar fingering.

NB: The diagram below - for reference - is for the single-handed SFGs, NOT the 2H/SFGs given above!

The Scale Practice Patterns

This practice routine uses these SPPs (Scale Practice Patterns).

Use the nav below to access all twelve major keys in this series.

C major

All white keys - no sharps or flats.

• RH: SFG 1 - a group of three notes and a group of five.
• LH: SFG 2 - a group of five notes and a group of three.

Work up to a reliable performance by following the video below.

The sharp keys G, D, A and E have the same fingering pattern - RH SFG1/LH SFG2. All you have to remember is to substitute black keys for white keys according to the key signature.

G major

One sharp: F#.

• RH: SFG1 - a group of three notes and a group of five.
• LH: SFG2 - a group of five notes and a group of three.

Work up to a reliable performance by following the video below.

D major

Two sharps: F# and C#.   

• RH: SFG1 - a group of three notes and a group of five.
• LH: SFG2 - a group of five notes and a group of three.

Work up to a reliable performance by following the video below.

A major

Three sharps: F#, C# and G#.  

• RH: SFG1 - a group of three notes and a group of five.
• LH: SFG2 - a group of five notes and a group of three.

Work up to a reliable performance by following the video below.

E major

Four sharps: F#, C#, G# and D#.

• RH: SFG1 - a group of three notes and a group of five.
• LH: SFG2 - a group of five notes and a group of three.

Work up to a reliable performance by following the video below.

(Note: B major - a sharp key - is in the 'odd men out' 2H/SFG3, with F.)

Now go on to 2H/SFG2 - the flat keys from B flat to D flat or use the series nav to access a different page.