Blues Piano Scales. Scales are the sources of both melodic lines (like licks, runs, riffs, etc) and harmonic materials (like chords, patterns, progressions, etc.) Suffice it to say that the scales for Blues piano cannot be exhausted in this particular lesson because there are a variety of them. Essential Scales for Jazz and Blues Piano Players. Jazz music has been called the only truly American art form, born and raised on this very soil. A combination of the historical music forms of both African and Caribbean slaves and European immigrants, it may be the only way in which the “melting pot” objective was ever successful.
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Learn how to play all the 12 major scales on the piano, easily! Print the scales (free PDF's), and follow the study guide below to learn how to practice them in the simplest order!
Download JAZZ PIANO SHEET MUSIC at: JAZZ PIANO EMAIL TIPS: http://www.themusicalear.com/jazz-pia. Each scale is provided as a separate PDF download with finger numbers above each note. These make great handouts for piano teachers to use with students. We provide downloads for common scales including major, the three minor scales ( natural, harmonic, and melodic ), the blues scale, and others. The 12 Major Scales Tutorial. Scales provide the foundation for understanding harmony and learning the 12 major scales is a fundamental step in learning jazz piano. When we play a piece of music using the notes of a particular scale, we say that we are playing in that key.
12 Major Scales for Piano
What do all the major scales have in common?
They allshare the same pattern of whole and half steps!
Actually, there is only onemajor scale pattern, but it can be transposed (moved) to start from any note.
Of course the scales don't look the same, since eachpiano scale has its own specific pattern of black and white keys.
You also needto adjust the fingering for most piano scales so they are comfortable to play.
But quite a few scales actually share the same fingering, and these are also the easiest to begin with.
The not-so-secretformula for a major scale is all about the distance (interval) from one note to the next:
From one note to the next there is either a whole step(tone) or a half step (semitone).
The specific pattern of intervals between each step in a major scale (ascending) is:
Tip: A good reference scale book with all common piano scales, fingering and more, is: Complete Book of Scales, Chords and Arpeggios.
Free Printable 12 Major Scales (PDF)
Below is a study guide organized in the order I would advise you to learn the 12 major scales.
Make sure to follow this study guide step by step, and you’ll be the Major Scale Master in no time!
But start by printing your free major scales (the links open in a new window):
Printable 12 Major Piano Scales (PDF):
Major Scales Group 2: 5 Scales Starting From a Black key (PDF)
12 Major Scales Study Guide
After printing the scales above, here is your step by step guide on how to use them!
Make sure to keep the scales handy as you follow along with the guide.
Group 1 Scales
The firstseven of the 12 major scales all start on a white key.
The first 5 of those use exactly thesame piano fingering patterns:
Right hand 123-1234(5 for stopping and turning), and Left hand (5) 4321-321.
Learning these firstand really setting the fingering patterns, makes it easier to learn therest of the scales.
F and Bmajor keep the basic fingering in one hand but has to change in the other.
Bmajor is by using all 5 black keys also preparing you for the last scales inthe second group.
1. C major scale
The C majorscale is the only major scale without black keys, so it’s easy to begin with.
The fingering you learn will be used in the next 4 scales as well. So take timeto learn it, it really pays back later!
2. G majorscale
The G majorscale has one black key, F#.
3. D major scale
The D majorscale has two, F# and C#.
4. A major scale
An A majorscale has three black keys, F#, C# and G#.
5. E major scale
E major hasfour, F# ,C#,G#,D#.
6. F major scale
And now forsomething different! The F major scale has one black key too, but this time itis a flat key, Bb.
This Bb makes it necessary to change fingering in the righthand. The left has the same fingering as before.
7. B major scale
The B majorscale includes all the black keys! It is actually the easiest of all the 12 major scales to learn in theright hand, since it shapes your hand very nicely and makes it super easy tolearn the fingering.
This is said to be the first scale Chopin gave to hisstudents to learn.
However, the left hand has to change fingering from before,starting on 4.
Black Key Exercise
Here is a cleverlittle exercise for the scales using all five black keys:
Playfingers 2 3 4 on the groups of three black keys, all over the piano.
Play handsseparately and both, parallel and contrary motion, whatever you like.
Thenfingers 2 3 on the groups of two black keys, and finally both groups.
The onlythings you will add later are the 2 “missing” white keys that will be playedwith the thumb most of the time.
Make sure to keep a good 'cupped' hand posture, with lightly curved fingers playing on your finger tips.
Tip: If your 5th fingers stick out like antennae, relax your shoulders and arms from the neck, even more.
Group 2 Scales
The secondgroup of the 12 major scales are 5 scales that all start on a black key.
They could be called two names, sincethe black keys have two names (for example C# or Db).
The choice of the one over the other has to dowith how many sharps or flats they have in the key signature.
1. Bb major scale
Bb majorhas two black keys, Bb and Eb. Since it starts on a black key, the previousfingering has to be changed, as in all scales starting on a black key.
Why?
Well,for smooth playing you have seen that we avoid using the thumb, or firstfinger, on a black key when playing scales.
The thumb is short and is betterused to tuck under your palm for smooth lateral movements.
Start withfinger 4 on Bb, and immediately tuck under the thumb on C.
After that thepattern is very easy, since the finger groups 1 2 3 and 1 2 3 4 each end on ablack key.
The left hand will start directly with the finger groups 3 2 1 and 43 2 1 starting on a black key each time.
2. Eb major scale
Eb majorhas three black keys, Bb, Eb and Ab. The fingering changes again, but look forthe finger groups and it is easier to see the pattern.
Jazz Piano Chords Chart Pdf
Eb major could also becalled D# major, they are enharmonic.
3. Db/C#major scale
Db majorhas 4 black keys. Db major is enharmonic with C# major.
The two scales look,sound and are played exactly the same on the keyboard but are written differentlywith notes.
It’s easier to use Db sinceit has fewer flats, 5, instead of C# that has 7 sharps.
4. Ab/G# major scale
Jazz Piano Scales & Modes Pdf
Ab is very similar to B major if you look atwhat keys to use. The only difference isthe two white keys!
5. Gb/F# major scale
Gb has fiveblack keys, as before. See how the last2 scales have so much in common with B major!
Some Final Advice
All scales are better to practice withoutnotes.
Playing by heart makes you more acquainted with each pattern on thekeyboard, and makes the topography of the keyboard much more familiar.
But as a reference, no pianists library is complete without a scale book. A good reference scale book with all common piano scales, fingering and more, is: Complete Book of Scales, Chords and Arpeggios.
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Jazz Scales Piano Pdf Free
10 Major and Minor Scales for Piano the Easy Way
Here is a very easy exercise to learn to play major and minor scales on the piano. The exercise takes you through the first 5 major scales, then the 5 parallel (not relative) harmonic minor scales.
Piano Scale Charts for All 12 Major Scales
Get piano scale charts with fingering for all the 12 major scales. You'll also learn how to find and play scales easily on the piano. No note reading needed!
How Many Major Scales are There?
How many major scales are there really? What is the difference between major and minor scales? And how about the major scale formula? Learn about it here!