How to Play an A Major Scale on the Piano

The A major scale consists of three black keys indicated in the key signature by F#, C# and G#. To smoothly play the A major scale on the piano or any scale containing sharps or flats, you must keep your hands in the proper position. Flat fingers or sagging wrists makes playing the A major piano scale more difficult than it has to be.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Right Hand

1. Begin the A major scale with your thumb on A and press B with your second finger (index finger).

2. Reach up with your third finger (middle finger) to press C# and bring your thumb under to press D.

3. Press E with your second finger, F# with your third finger and G# with your fourth finger (ring finger).

4. Finish the ascending A major scale with your fifth finger (little finger) on A.

5. Descend the scale with your fourth finger on G#, third finger on F#, second finger on E and thumb on D.

6. Cross your third finger over to play C# and finish with your second finger on B and your thumb on A.

Left Hand

7. Start with your fifth finger on A, fourth finger on B, third finger on C#, second finger on D and thumb on E.

8. Cross your third finger over your thumb to press F# and use your second finger to press G#.

9. Press A with your thumb and begin the descending A major scale.

10. Play G# with your second finger and F# with your third finger.

11. Bring your thumb under your second finger to press E.

12. Run down the rest of the scale by pressing D with your second finger, C# with your third finger, B with your fourth finger and A with your fifth finger.

Tips & Warnings

• You must position your hands over the white piano keys so that your fingers are pressing down in the middle of the keys. This allows you to easily reach the black keys when playing piano scales.
• The A major scale follows the major scale step pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half.