How To

How to Play a C Major Scale on the Piano

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

The C major scale consists of all white keys and follows the whole and half step major scale pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half. The notes in the C major scale are C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. To play the C major scale, you must learn the correct fingering which is different for your right and left hands. Read on to learn how to play a C major scale on the piano.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Keyboard

    Right Hand

  1. Step 1

    Number the fingers on your right hand 1 through 5 starting with your thumb.

  2. Step 2

    Place your right thumb on one of the C keys on your keyboard.

  3. Step 3

    Press D with your second finger (index finger) and E with your third finger (middle finger).

  4. Step 4

    Bring your thumb under your first and second finger and press F with your thumb, G with your second finger, A with your third finger, B with your fourth finger (ring finger) and C with your fifth finger (little finger).

  5. Step 5

    Start the descent of your scale by pressing B with your fourth finger, A with your third finger, G with your second finger and F with your thumb.

  6. Step 6

    Cross your third finger over your thumb and press E with your third finger, D with your second finger and C with your thumb.

  7. Left Hand

  8. Step 1

    Number the fingers on your left hand 1 through 5 starting with your thumb.

  9. Step 2

    Place your fifth finger (little finger) on a C key on your keyboard.

  10. Step 3

    Press D with your fourth finger (ring finger), E with your third finger (middle finger), F with your second finger (index finger) and G with your thumb.

  11. Step 4

    Cross your third finger over and press A with your third finger, B with your second finger and C with your thumb.

  12. Step 5

    Begin the descent of your scale by pressing B with your second finger and A with your third finger.

  13. Step 6

    Bring your thumb under your third finger and play G with your thumb, F with your second finger, E with your third finger, D with your fourth finger and C with your fifth finger.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you number the fingers on each hand 1 to 5, starting with your thumb, you can easily view the correct fingering for the C major scale. Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5.
  • A half step is made when you play two keys directly next to each other, including black keys. A whole step is made up of two half steps.

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