Playing Major scales - hands together

[LisaE]

Hello!

Well, started 2nd semester Class Piano on the 26th. Lot's of material to review. One of the things, as the course progresses, that we are expected to learn and do is play the Major scales hands together, in parallel motion.

For example, I'm playing the C Major scale hands together, so, with my left hand, fifth finger on Bass C, go up the scale 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 (these are finger numbers).

At the same time, I have my right hand, first finger (thumb) on Middle C and it's going 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1.

Haven't tried this before, mostly I practice my scales hands separate, so this is a little challenging. So far how I'm aproaching this is practice the scale hands separate several times, then slowly, hands together, several times, until I get comfortable with the movements.

Any other practice tips on how to play the scales hands together?

Thanks!
Andrea

[B3Wannabe]

Sweet! Scales are my weakness. I can do one octave fine though, the two octave version (RH 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, LH 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1) is hard for me.

[evangelist215]

I have mastered the scales with both hands in C. Is it true that there is a different fingering for the other keys? If so, what is the fingering for Eb?

[Betann]

Hello.

The fingering for the Eb scale is [RH] 3rd or 2nd finger on Eb 312341232143213  [LH] 321432131234123

Hope this helps....Betty

I play all scales with the same fingering except for F ( in the right hand), my left hand  uses the same fingering ( and crossover movements) for all 12 keys.

In F ( and this may very well be a bad habit, I don't really know)
I do the cross over on the 4  ( in my right hand) instead of on the 3. By crossing on the 4 in my right hand, I don't have to move my hand as much

If I am incorrect in doing this then somebody PLEASE educate a bruh!!

Jaylewis

[LisaE]

Okay, this information is from the book I have used for my 1st semester Class Piano and we are continuing to use it for 2nd semester Class Piano: Alfred's Group Piano for Adults, Book 1:

Major Scales (the numbers refer to the finger numbers, RH = Right Hand, LH=Left hand)

C Major:  RH:   1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH: 5 4 3 2 1 32 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

G Major: RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

D Major:RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH:  5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

A major:RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

E major:RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH:5 4 3 2 1 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

B major:RH:1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, LH:4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1

Gb(F#) major:RH: 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2, LH:4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4

Db(C#) major:RH:2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2,LH:3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

Ab major:RH: 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3,LH:3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

Eb major:RH: 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3,LH:3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

Bb major:RH:4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4,LH:3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

F major:RH: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4, LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

This what we have been taught in class. I realize some piano players do the fingering differently.

Andrea

[Betann]

Hi Jay,

Your theory seems to be right but when you get to the flat scales the majority will start with the second or third finger. Gb major goes [RH] 234123121321432  [LH] 432132141231234. I guess whatever comes natural will work but this is the right way.

Betty

[gospelman26]

LisaE I was taught the same way and one rule to remember when going up the board/piano twice is that the 3rd finger in each hand will match at the same time.  Meaning you will play a note on the 3rd finger in both hands and that's how you will know that you are doing it right by theory.  I worked out of the same book LisaE and it will bring you along fast and if you have a teacher like what I had they will make you transpose what's in the book in every key teaching sight reading not only by the notes on the page but to be able to move to another key and follow the notes on the page but in a different key.  It also helps with your ear as far as the intervals(melodic/hormonic).  God Bless

[LisaE]

Thanks everyone for the tips. What I have done since my original post in this topic: I participated in a chat session this past Thursday that's held by folks lead by Jermaine Griggs. One of the moderators advised that I first practice for ACCURACY, speed will follow. I have used this advice practicing the C major scale and it has helped.

Also, since the book by Alfred is over 300 pages and a little tedious to carry around, I bought an Achievement Skill Sheet No. 5 - Two-Octave Major Scales & Arpeggios by nancy and Randall Faber with Jeanne Weisman by the FJH Music Company, INC. It's sheet music that shows each major scale and fingering.

In practicing the C Major scale, I made a particular note of my 4th finger. On my Right hand, the 4th finger is suppose to land on B, the 4th finger on my left hand is supposed to land on D. This has helped immensely, plus listening as I play helps me to know I'm doing it right.