Scale Fingering – G Minor (Harmonic, Melodic and Natural)

Posted on by October 6, 2020

The G Harmonic Minor scale contains 3 blacks notes consisting of Bb, Eb and F# and uses the typical C major fingering learnt previously. It might be quite tricky to begin with so I would suggest keeping the scale to 1 and 2 octave hands separately before attempting it hands together. If you want to increase the scale to 3 and 4 octaves you can do this in the same way as learnt in previous scales which share the same C major fingering pattern. The Melodic minor (which has a Bb and F# going up) and the Natural minor (which has a Bb and Eb going up and down) are normally used in conjunction which each other playing the ascending Melodic minor going up the piano followed by the Natural minor going down the piano. The G Minor scale is required at earlier ABRSM piano grades 1 and 2 octaves hands together, however in later grades the scale will be required in many forms including up to 4 octaves hands together, contrary motion, staccato as well as a 3rd apart. I would strongly recommend purchasing a copy of the ABRSM piano scale book, particular as you progress to the higher grades. You can buy this from the ABRSM website as well as from local music shops in Swindon.

Here is the piano fingering for the G Minor scales as taught in my lessons:

One octave R.H (up) 12312345 (down) 4321321

One octave L.H (up) 54321321 (down) 2312345

Two octaves R.H (up) 123123412312345 (down) 43213214321321

Two octaves L.H (up) 543213214321321 (down) 23123412312345

Watch video demonstration of the teacher playing the G Minor scale (Harmonic):

Scale Fingering – E Minor (Harmonic, Melodic and Natural)

Posted on by October 2, 2020

The E Harmonic Minor scale can be very tricky at the start as it requires you to use finger 4 in both hands on black notes. Despite this the E minor scales uses the typical C major fingering and contains 2 sharps (F# and D#). Make sure you keep the scale to 1 and 2 octave hands separately before trying the scale hands together. You can increase it to 3 and 4 octaves by using the same technique as discussed in previous scales which have C major fingering. The Melodic minor (which has a C# going up) and the Natural minor (which has only a F# going up and down) are normally used in conjunction which each other playing the ascending Melodic minor going up the piano followed by the Natural minor going down the piano. In the earlier grades the E minor scale is required 2 octaves hands together. However in later grades you’ll be required to play it up to 4 octaves hands together. It may be helpful to purchase a copy of the ABRSM piano scale book which can be bought from music shops in Swindon as well as from online retailers. 

Here is the piano fingering for the E Minor scales as taught in my lessons:

One octave R.H (up) 12312345 (down) 4321321

One octave L.H (up) 54321321 (down) 2312345

Two octaves R.H (up) 123123412312345 (down) 43213214321321

Two octaves L.H (up) 543213214321321 (down) 23123412312345

Watch video demonstration of the teacher playing the E Minor scale (Harmonic):

Scale Fingering – D Minor (Harmonic, Melodic and Natural)

Posted on by October 2, 2020

The D Harmonic Minor scale uses the same fingering as the C major scale but contains one sharp (C sharp) and one flat (Bb) . Just like previous scales it’s best to try 1 and 2 octave hands separately before trying the scale hands together. You can increase it to 3 and 4 octaves by putting the thumb under again in the right hand and 4th in the left hand and continuing the same finger pattern further up the piano. The Melodic minor (which has a B natural and C# going up) and the Natural minor (which has a C natural and Bb) are typically used in conjunction which each other playing the ascending Melodic minor going up the piano followed by the Natural minor going down the piano. The D minor scale is included in the earlier grades with 2 octaves hands separate and together. However in more advanced grades you’ll be expected to play it up to 4 octaves hands together as well as in staccato.  You may wish to acquire a copy of the ABRSM piano scale book which is easily obtainable in local music shops in Swindon as well as online. 

Here is the piano fingering for the D Minor scales as taught in my lessons:

One octave R.H (up) 12312345 (down) 4321321

One octave L.H (up) 54321321 (down) 2312345

Two octaves R.H (up) 123123412312345 (down) 43213214321321

Two octaves L.H (up) 543213214321321 (down) 23123412312345

Watch video demonstration of the teacher playing D Minor scale (Harmonic):

Scale Fingering – D Major

Posted on by September 17, 2020

The D Major has the same fingering as the C major scale but contains two sharpened notes (F sharp and C sharp). Just like all the other scales it’s best to start off with 1 and 2 octave hands separately before trying them hands together. You can increase the D major scale to cover 3 and 4 octaves by putting the thumb under again in the right hand and 4th in the left hand and continuing the same fingering further up the piano. In the earlier ABRSM piano grades you will only be required to play the D Major scale 1 and 2 octaves hand together however in later grades you’ll be expected to play it in contrary motion (both thumbs starting on D) as well as 4 octaves hands together. You can find ABRSM piano scale books in local music shops in Swindon as well as online. 

Here is the piano fingering for the D Major scale as taught in my lessons:

One octave R.H (up) 12312345 (down) 4321321

One octave L.H (up) 54321321 (down) 2312345

Two octaves R.H (up) 123123412312345 (down) 43213214321321

Two octaves L.H (up) 543213214321321 (down) 23123412312345

Watch video demonstration of the teacher playing the D major scale: