Scales and Arpeggios

How to Practice Scales and Arpeggios

• How to Construct Major Scales

• Contrary Motion Scales

Root Keys: C Db D Eb E F F# G Ab A Bb B

C Major and A Minor

• • 1 sharp G Major and E Minor

  • 2 sharps D Major and B Minor

  • 3 sharps A Major and F# Minor

  • 4 sharps E Major and C# Minor

  • 5 sharps B Major and G# Minor

  • 6 sharps F# Major and D# Minor

  • 7 sharps C# Major and A# Minor

  • 1 flat F Major and D Minor

  • 2 flats Bb Major and G Minor

  • 3 flats Eb Major and C Minor

  • 4 flats Ab Major and F Minor

  • 5 flats Db Major and Bb Minor

  • 6 flats Gb major and Eb Minor

  • 7 flats Cb Major and Ab Minor

TIP to memorize the order:

Play the major root keys in order. You will discover a pattern (called the "Circle of Fifths").

When Jane took piano lessons, age 12 to 17, her weekly assignment included scales and arpeggios, two different styles music pieces, and in the beginning, an exercise from this book:

Cramer: Fifty Selected Piano Studies, (Schirmer's Library Of Musical Classics, Vol. 827)