How to Play a C Minor Scale on Piano

Learning to play a C minor scale on the piano requires mastering both finger crossing and vertical finger movement. The C minor scale has three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab) and shares the same key signature as Eb major. Each has a different pattern to play both up and down the scale, so you should practice each hand individually before putting them together. The C minor piano scale has the fewest finger crossings of any minor scale.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice with your right hand first. Place your thumb on C5. Ascend the C minor scale with your first three fingers until your reach Eb5. Cross your thumb under your middle finger on F5. The remaining notes in the scale are now F, G, Ab, Bb and C (an octave higher than the original C). Once you make this first finger crossing, your five fingers should all be placed over each of the remaining five notes in the scale. Ascend the remaining part of the scale and stop at C6, where your pinkie should now be.

2. Descend the scale. Stop with your thumb on F5 and cross your middle finger over your thumb at Eb5. Continue to play the last three notes of the scale with your middle finger, index finger and thumb (Eb, D, C). Your thumb should be on C5 and in the position in which you started.

3. Practice the C minor scale with your left hand. Place your pinkie on C4. Ascend the scale a perfect-fifth interval to G4. Cross your middle finger over your thumb on Ab4. Continue up the scale to C5, which is a major-third interval. Land your thumb on C5, one octave higher than where you started.

4. Descend the scale starting at C5. Come down a major third to Ab5 and cross your thumb under your middle finger at G4. Your fingers should now be in a position to continue the scale without any further finger crossings. Descend the final perfect-fifth interval to C4. Your pinkie should be placed in the original, starting position.

5. Practice the C minor scale with both hands together. Pay attention to each hand's finger-crossing pattern, as the right hand crosses sooner than the left hand. Practice the scale slowly at first, so you can master playing two different patterns at the same time. Set your metronome to 85 beats per minute. Slowly increase the tempo as you become more familiar with ascending and descending the scale. Play this scale at a maximum tempo of 180 beats per minute.