# data[].attributes.body
Congratulations! Review your program!!

Be ready to present

# data[].attributes.body
1. The Owl Complete

2. SCCA review

3. In the Swing hands separate

4. Program review

# data[].attributes.body
1. Origram complete

2. IMMT SCCA for your pieces

3. In the Swing

4. The Owl

Count always loud

# data[].attributes.body
1. All Pieces recorded

2. now you have to work on the scales, chords and cadences and arpeggios

Review all pieces of the program by memory.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Soldier's March: review

2. Spring: record next week!

3. SCCA

# data[].attributes.body
1. 3rd movement complete and memorize with correct articulation

2. SCCA complete and ready for recording

3. Soldier's March complete correct rhythm memory

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to work on your program.

3rd movement omplete

Soldier's March

SCCA music practice every day

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. Sonatina 1st movement completed

3. 2nd completed

4. 3rd movement complete by memory

5. Soldies's March

6. SCCA

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. Sonatina complete and memorize ready to record

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. Sonatina 2 movement by memory ready to record

3. Sonatina 3 movement - complete both hands

4. Soldier's March

# data[].attributes.body
1, Scales

2. Sonatina 1 st part fix and memory

3. Sonatina 2 - memory

4. Sonatina 3 - memory

5. Review all program

# data[].attributes.body
1. Scales

2. Sonatina 2 movement complete even and memory

3. Sonatina 3; start hands separate and count

4. Caprice - review

5. Soldiers' March - review

6. Fiesta - review

# data[].attributes.body
You have to practice

Sonatina complete

Soldier's March

Caprice

Fiesta

SCCA a MUST

# data[].attributes.body
Recorded:

Sonatina

Next week prepare for recording

Fiesta

Scales

Review:

Soldier's March

Caprice

Sonatina 2nd Part

# data[].attributes.body
1, Menuet -recorded

Continue to work on SONATINA 3 movements

even rhythm

2. Fiesta

# data[].attributes.body
SCCA

1. In the Swing record next week

competiton

2. Minuet: memory, quality of the sound, great rhythm

3. Sonatina - slow and even

4. Fiesta - review

# data[].attributes.body
1. Recording In the Swing

Prepare next week to record next piece

SCCA

Work on Minuet and Sonatina

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. Minuet: study slow both hands

Need to be counted complete 1st and 2nd page

3. Sonatina: counting clear even and slow

4.  The Gathering storm - recording done

5. Fiesta: review by memory

6. In the Swing: next time recording. Soft phrases, lift hand

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA every day

2. Minuet - complete both hands

3. Sonatina:

1st movement- both hands together complete and focus on dynamics

2nd movement- hands separate first and then do both hands together

4. In the Swing by memory

5. Fiesta- review by memory

6. The Gathering Storm - review with the book and by memory

add In the Swing, Fiesta, Sonatina Clementi # 1 in c major

# data[].attributes.body
Study Scales with chords and arpeggios everyday

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Piano scales are one of the most important parts of piano technique.

They're everywhere - they're in your sonatas, etudes, warm-ups - and without them, you really wouldn't have the repertoire you know.

When it comes down to it, there are really 3 specific reasons why practicing your scales is so important:

1. Scales help you build important physical skills

2. Scales help you develop your sound

3. Scales help you break down your repertoire into easily digestible parts.

Every little fragment of a melody in any piece of piano music you play will most likely have some elements of scale embedded in them.

If you need something more convincing on the importance of scales click here to read our article about this very subject.

Anyways, let's jump right into the bulk of this post.

Here, I'll take you through major piano scales, minor scales, proper fingerings, and a whole bunch of other info that you'll need to master your piano repertoire.

Piano scale fingerings are incredibly tricky.

A little online research will present you with strings of numbers and unhelpful guides, most of which expect you to just memorize a bunch of numbers.

In her tonebase post about scale fingerings, Juliana Han breaks scale fingerings down to three simple observations:

1. There are 7 distinct notes in a scale, but you only have 5 fingers on each hand

2. It is faster to use all of your fingers in a row (as opposed to 2-3-2-3-2-3 or other such noodlings)

3. When you run out of fingers, it is easier to keep going over the thumb (not pinky) end of your hand.

These observations reveal two things about piano scales:

1. All scales consist of a bigger group of fingers (1-2-3-4) plus a smaller group (1-2-3) (note: each grouping includes the thumb).

2. They all place the three longer fingers (2, 3, and 4/pointer, middle and ring) on black keys when possible.

And that's it, this rule of thumb (pun intended) will help make your piano scale fingerings much easier to remember and lock in with muscle memory.

Definitely give this article ( here) a thorough read if you're looking for more holistic advice on playing scales.

Let's transition now to the scales every pianist should have mastered.

Let's face it, there are a LOT of scales to learn on the piano.

However, understanding the collection of notes that each one pulls from will help dial in the scope of our practice.

If you've learned a little bit of music theory, you will know that there are only 12 notes in Western classical music.
These notes, assembled into one scale, are called the chromatic scale:

There is really only 1 chromatic scale, since no matter which note you start on, it's still the same collection of notes.

Every scale you will encounter, from major to minor, from pentatonic to octatonic, they all use the notes of the chromatic scale in some way or another.

There are 12 major scales on the piano, each one starting on a different note in the chromatic scale.

If you want to get started, here are a few of the most common major scales for you to read through. Click the attached link to see our in-depth pianist's guide to the scale, with detailed practice tips and repertoire applications.

C major piano scale

Ah yes, the C major scale. The first scale every pianist learns, although it is in my opinion less comfy to play than some of the others.

Notice how it only uses white keys:

Be sure to check out our comprehensive C major practice guide.

G major piano scale

Next on our "circle of fifths" (more on that coming soon) is the G major scale:

Click here for the G major practice guide.

D major piano scale

Next stop on our progression through sharp-land (notice there are now 2 sharps in the key signature) is D major:

Click here for the D major practice guide.

A major scale piano

Now onto A major, the scale with 3 sharps:

Click here for the A major practice guide.

E major scale piano

Last but not least, is the E major scale with 4 sharps.

Click here for the E major practice guide.

There you go. 5 major scales to get you started on your progression towards scale mastery.

Want the rest? Click here to check out our post with all 12 major scales and fingering guides for each one, as well as all of the minor scales.

Next, let's take a look at these minor scales, what they are, and what the difference is between harmonic, natural, and melodic minor.

Natural minor scales are, at their core, just a major scale that starts on the 6th note and ends on the 6th note (pretty simple, right?)

This is why you'll probably see the key signature of what's known as the "relative major" to each minor scale (as in d minor is written in the key signature of the relative major, F major).

Just like we did for the major scales, let's check out 5 important minor scales to help you get started.

And same as last time, feel free to click the link below each scale to access our comprehensive scale guide.

C minor scale piano

The first scale on this list is C minor, which has 3 flats (just like Eb major, it's "relative major")

Click here for the C minor practice guide.

G minor piano scale

In the same order as the major scales, now we get to G minor. Notice this time we have one less flat than before.

Click here for the G minor practice guide.

D minor piano scale

Next up we have our D minor scale:

Click here for the D minor practice guide.

A minor piano scale

A minor is our "no sharps or flats" minor key, just like its relative major C major:

Click here for the A minor practice guide.

E minor piano scale

The one-sharp minor scale, relative to G major is E minor:

Click here for the E minor practice guide.

And that wraps up our intro to natural minor on the piano!

Just as the case was with the major scales, be sure to check out our full list of major and minor scales with fingering guides here.

Let's take a look at F# minor, in three forms: natural, harmonic, and melodic.

F# natural minor:

F# harmonic minor:

‍

F# melodic minor:

Compare the 3 scales above. All of them are the same root scale, but as we go from natural to melodic we alter a few specific notes of the scale.

In the harmonic minor scale, we raise the 7th, creating what's called a "raised leading-tone" leading into the root note at the top.

In the melodic minor minor scale, we raise the 6th and the 7th, but lower them on the way down. This effectively blends melodic and natural minor together.

Composers use melodic minor to add color to melodies, as the relationship between this "major ascent" and "minor descent" is extremely colorful and adds a nice character to melodic lines.

Want to hear the melodic minor scale in a piano piece? Here's Chopin's Polonaise in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 44:

You can hear little bits of F# melodic minor scattered throughout the melody.

With 12 notes there are a lot of additional scales that can exist, and once you start playing around with the amount of notes in a scale you can produce some really interesting sound-palettes.

Ever heard of the whole tone scale? If you've heard any of Claude Debussy's music, you've most definitely heard it.

Here are the two and only two versions of that scale:

These scales don't fit within any key signature, so they have this cool nebulous quality to them.

Another popular scale with the impressionist composers like Debussy and Ravel was the pentatonic scale:

It's important to know that this scale has its roots in music from many ancient civilizations, and can be heard in the folk music of the Americas, East/Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The music from these regions, most notably East/Southeast Asia, had a large influence on the music of Debussy and other composers of his time.

There are also loads of other popular scales in the piano repertoire, such as the octatonic scale (composer Oliver Messiaen liked this one in particular) and the blues scale, an essential part of jazz (think C minor pentatonic with an F#).

Even with this lengthy post, we've only just scratched the surface of piano scales you'll encounter in your piano repertoire.

Hopefully now, you've got a bit of a stronger understanding of the piano scales that exist and how to play them with good technique.

Feel free to click this link to check out our in-depth courses on piano, taught by artists including Grammy winning pianists and professors from schools such as Juilliard, Curtis, and more.

On tonebase, you will find in-depth courses and workshops with some of the world's top pianists, covering a wide range of subjects such as repertoire-specific lessons, piano technique, and more.

Happy playing!
Learn From The World's Leading Pianists Get Started
Online lessons, courses, and interviews with the greatest minds in classical piano.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Piano Scales: A Complete Guide | tonebase Piano

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here, I'll take you through major piano scales, minor scales, proper fingerings, and a whole bunch of other info that you'll need to master your piano repertoire.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA every day

2. In the Swing 0 by memory

3. Sonatina:

1st Movement - complete both hands

2nd movement - complete both hands

4. Minuet: complete both hands both pages

5. Fiesta - review by memory

6. The Storm review by memory and with the book

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. In the Swing - focus on the dynamics of each phrase and memorize

3. Sonatina mvt 1 - keep practicing and follow dynamics

4. mvt 2 - notice the tempo and how different it is from the 1st movement, first 3 lines hands together slowly, count out loud 1 + a, 2 + a, 3 + a

5. Minuet - hands together slowly

6. Fiesta - review and memorize

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. The Storm: balance make sure to practice with the book

Make sure to fix your chords

3. In the Swing - review

4. Sonatina Movement 1

5. Sonatina Movement 2

6. Sonatina Movement 3

7. Fiesta

8. Bach Minuet

Merry Christmas! Have a great Holiday Break full of fun and Practice!

# data[].attributes.body
Great JOB

Continue to wark on your program

# data[].attributes.body
1. Duet: fix rhythm on the second page

2. Storm

3. Fiesta: review

Practice your SCCA

RECITAL NEXT WEEK

DECEMBER 8, 2023

RHAPSODY CONCERT HALL

630 Floral Avenue, Elizabeth

TIME 5:45

# data[].attributes.body
Storm more forte and understanding the story of storm

Practice duet the stay on rhyhtm

Songs to study

FIESTA review

# data[].attributes.body
1. Duet perfrct with the book

2. Recital Piece

3. Songs

# data[].attributes.body
1. Songs

2. Duet

3. Recital Piece

# data[].attributes.body
1. Duet complete tempo

2. SCCA

3. Recital Piece by memory

songs

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA

2. Duet - complete perfect dinamics and balance

3. Recital Piece: perfect by memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
𝖒𝖊𝖑𝖉𝖞 𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖘

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Letter to the parents Recital Information.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
2. The Gathering Storm: complete and memorized

3. In the Swing review

4. DUET: Complete 2 pages

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
2. The Gathering Storm: both hands complete
3. In the Swing review
4. Duet" complete your part

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
2. The Gathering Storm: count complete
3. Review: Sonatina 1 2 movements
4. On the Swing review
5. Duet: Part Primo

You have to count and practice with energy

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
2. Recital  Piece: The Gathering Storm
hands separate page 1
3. Review: Sonatina 1 st Movement
completely slow having even rhythm correct fingers and phrasing
4. Sonarina 2 movenet: both hands half page

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
2. Sonatina continue to learn on silent piano and count loud.
We have to gain control of the rhythm and the keys.

3. Review all other pieces for prsentation.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Complete 2 movement'
2. Start 3 movement hands separate
You have to count and follow exact fingers and articulation

3, SCCA every day

Review all your program for June 21 to perform

# data[].attributes.body
All pieces recorded

Study:

Sonatina 1 movement slow

Sonatina 2 movement hands separate with deep sound

Sonatina 3 movement will start next week

Scales, chords, cadences

Review the whole program to perform

# data[].attributes.body
Scales, Chords/Cadences. Arpeggios

Sonatina 1 movement
much better

complete by memory with deep sound

Start second movement

# data[].attributes.body
1. Sonatina. 1 movement. Complete by memory.
Left hand has rests. Dynamics

Needs to be recorded

2. F major Scale for in the Swing

Additionally B Major b minor
A major a minor

Review your program

# data[].attributes.headline
May 10, 2023 Clementi Sonatina op.36 # 1

# data[].attributes.subject
May 10, 2023 Clementi Sonatina op.36 # 1

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Free Free Piano Sheet Music sheet music pieces to download from 8notes.com

# data[].attributes.body
1. In the Swing recorded

2. Sonatina 1 st movement memory

ready for the recordig.

NEED ENERGY

3. SCCA - cpmlete all major and minors.

Practice everyday scales chords/cadences arpeggios

# data[].attributes.body
Fiesta:
Recorded

F Major SCCA

Complete Sonatina:

In the Swing: Prepare to record along with SCCA.

# data[].attributes.body
Prepare for recording Fiesta next week

F Major

2. Complete Sonatina:

In the Swing

# data[].attributes.body
Spanish Guitar: Recorded, e minor SCCA

On the Green: Recorded, g major scale

Sonatina: Complete, work hands separately. Make sure to count while playing and make sure the rhythms are correct.

On the Spring:

Fiesta:

# data[].attributes.body
Spanish Guitar: work on fermatas and getting faster and louder on the last line. It’s ready for recording.

On the Green:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn and cycle several times in a row in small sections correctly and steady.

1. In the Spring
2. Sonatina
3. On the Green

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Spanidh Guitar: get ready for recording

2. Spring: please bring hands separate

3. Sonatina: you must study hands separate with coun. Make sure you have correct fingers.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Spanish Guitar: complete by memory.

Perfect your 2 ritardando and articulation(stoccatto)

dynamics and Pedal

e minor Scale, Chord, Cadence, Arpeggio

2. Spring: complete count

3. Sonatina: count complete

# data[].attributes.body
1. Spanish Guitars: complete by memory ready for recording
make sure you are doing ritardando. using pedal.

2. Sonatina: complete with music

3. Spring: complete

# data[].attributes.body
SCCA
1. Caprice- Recorded
2. Soldier's March- Recorded
3. Spanish Guitars- Work on maintaining the beat steady the entire piece.
- Watch for the rhythm on line 3 of first page. The ending of the phrase shouldn't have the 8th notes feel like quarter notes. Make sure to count.
- Work on second page with hands separately.
4. Sonatina-
- First two lines learned
- Hands separate and slowly upon learning new measures
- Make sure the fingering is exact in order to play legato lines throughout.
5. Spring-
6. Fiesta-

# data[].attributes.body
Prepare recordings Caprice and Soldiers March

1. Spanish Guitars
2. Sonatina
3. Spring
4. Fiesta

# data[].attributes.body
1. Soldier's March: record

G Major SCCA

2. Caprice: Complete, memorized
C Major SCCA
3. Spanish Guitars:
Work on rhythms and keeping the beat even throughout. Practice and prepare for next week.
4. Sonatina continue
5. Spring complete

# data[].attributes.body
SCCA

1. Caprice C major: articulation, dynamics, memory. Make sure not to confuse G and C in the left hand.

2. Soldier's March: dynamics. clear articulation, memory.

3. Spanish Guitars:
complete middle part.
Make sure to count and have balance. Do not keep notes but only ties.

4. Spring: start hands separate count

5. Sonatina 2 lines count hands separate

# data[].attributes.body
1. Soldier's March: memoize
2. Caprice: memorize and fix the rhythm by counting
3. Spanish Guitars: Continue to work with hands separately with counting.
good luck

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
- everyday study
2. Caprice
- Review some rhythms on ends of lines 2,3, and 4.
- Complete, but continue to review last page as well, especially last two lines.
- Work on articulations and making sure to pay close attention to dynamic markings and crescendos.
3. Soldier's March
- continue to review
- Complete, don't rush towards the b section.
4. Spanish Guitars
- Continue to work hands separately and make sure to count.
5. Spring
-
6. Sonatina
- Start next after completing other pieces

# data[].attributes.body
1. SCCA
everyday study
2. Caprice: complete both hands and memorize. Make sure your articulations are clea
3. Soldier's March review slow. follow dynamics and staccatto.

4. Spanish Guitars:
complete,
you must count 1 an 2 an 3 an

Half dotted note 3 counts
study hands separate then ut it together

5. Spring start next
7. Sonatina - start next after completing this pieces.

# data[].attributes.body
Minor Scales:One Octave and chord inversions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
1. In the Swing: rests, lifting hand, diminuendoes.
Memory. phrasing by 4 measure.
2. On the Green review with the book then by memory. Continue to work on Dynamics.

3. Caprice:
4. Soldier's March
5. Spanish Guitars
6. Spring
7. Sonatina

# data[].attributes.body
In the Swing:
- Careful with last two lines with counting. Make sure we are holding it for 1 1/2 beats
- Do not make notes staccato if they do not say so

# data[].attributes.body
1. On the Green:
Memorized and ready for recital, continue to practice.
2 In the Swing:
- practice counting last line and work on last two lines. Hands separate and read the notes carefully.
3. Caprice:
-1st page learned, continue to work slowly
- Work on second page hands separately and count.
- Entire second page learned, continue to practice and count. Remember to crescendo for ascending scale patterns.

# data[].attributes.body
1. In the Green
- Recital piece, complete and memorized
2. Caprice
- first page learned, makes sure to count properly in last two lines.

# data[].attributes.body
1. On the Green each phrases and energy. Memory perfect clear notes

2. In the Swing: memory
3. Caprice: dynamics, energy, memory
4. Soldier's March: review with the book

SCCA a MUST

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.headline
Let There Be Peace on Earth Instrumental

# data[].attributes.subject
Let There Be Peace on Earth Instrumental

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Let There Be Peace on Earth Instrumental

# data[].attributes.body
SCCA
1. On the Green:
- Complete and memorized. Work on dynamics, and making sure to play notes so they can be heard. Watch the 8th rests in right hand.
2. In the swing
- Work on counting and memorizing.
3. Caprice
- work on transitions and work hands separately.

# data[].attributes.body
SCCA
1. On the Green: complete by memory, dynamics.
Bass strong, chords upward light in the left hand part a
Middle part ritardando

2. In the Swing: complete: practice hands separate if there is a problems with notes.

3. Caprice: complete both hands

4. Fiesta?????

# data[].attributes.body
On the Green- complete, work on dynamics and hold the fermata. Focus on fingering and accenting 1st and 3rd beats of measures.
Caprice- Start and work hands separately, count slowly! Work on finishing first page.
In the Swing- Work on counting, work hands separate until you feel comfortable.
Fiesta: count 1 2 3 4 5 6 and complete the entire piece

Scales, Chords/Cadences, Arpeggios

# data[].attributes.body
On the Green- complete, work on dynamics and hold the fermata.
Caprice- Start and work hands separately, count slowly! Work on finishing first page.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Spanish Guitars-
- Continue to practice slowly and hands separately.
- Continue to count and make sure to rest for a whole beat where indicated.

# data[].attributes.body
1. All scales and arpeggios
RH 1231235
LH 5421421 White notes
LH 5321321 Black notes
2. Fiesta, continue to count 123456, and watch rhythms. Start on pickup to second line.
3. Spanish Guitars
4. Spring
5. In the Swing- Work slowly, hands separately.

# data[].attributes.body
1. All arpeggios new way.

fingers R
RH 1231235
LH 5421421 for white notes
LH 5321321 for those with black notes

# data[].attributes.body
Soldier's March:
Great work. Now memorize it.

On the Green:
Keep working on it.

In the Swing:
Keep working on it. Make it smooth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
Soldier's March:
- Remember to add in the staccatos for this piece specifically when there are eighth notes (ex. measure 2,3,4)
- Careful with the second page, do not slow down. Be secure with your notes!

On the Green:
- Lines 4,5, and 6 careful with the left hand notes. Work on this section and make sure you are comfortable
- Final four measures make sure that the left hand does not move, it will be playing the exact same notes

In the Swing:
- Work on it hands together from the beginning all the way to the star
- Do not add in the grace notes just yet, work on it without it at the moment. We will add them in the future.
- Right hand will stay in the same position until the eighth measure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
all pieces are recorded.
Just adding minor arpegios and a few scales as a reqierement

Soldier's March: Make sure youre always playing F#, and play more staccato. Make sure to watch dynamic markings and phrasing. Try to memorize for recording.
On The Green: Learn hands separate and counting rhythm before playing.

# data[].attributes.body
Purple Twilight: Recorded.

Soldier's March: Slow. Make sure to use correct fingers, respect rests, pay attention to dynamics
Complete with music. F# fix

On the Green:

SCCA, adding A Major, E Major, B Major

We need to record: minor tonic triads and arpeggios

# data[].attributes.body
Purple Twilight: Always count your half notes fully. Use the pedal.

Soldier's March: work on dynamics and transitions.

On the Green: Practice hands together very slowly the first three lines. Work on playing on beat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.

# data[].attributes.body
Next class: April 28
Handsprings:
- Recorded
Purple Twilight:
- complete, memorize and prepare to record
El Afilador:
- recorded
Soldiers March:

Look at new pieces

# data[].attributes.body
Purple Twilight:

Soldiers March: Review

El Afilador: Get ready to record

Handspring: Don't rush and count. Get ready to record.