How to Play a Bb Minor Scale on Piano

Learning to play a Bb minor scale on piano requires close attention to finger crossing and wrist stability when turning the octave. The Bb minor scale has five flats in the key signature (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb). It shares a key signature with Db major and requires you to depress only two white keys over the entire scale. The abundance of black keys forces your fingers to be raised off of the keyboard at all times while approaching each depression of the key with a efficient vertical movement.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice with your right hand to begin. Place your index finger on Bb4 and prepare to use your thumb to pivot on C4. Ascend the Bb minor scale through the notes Bb and C, then stop. Bring your index finger over your thumb to Db4. Play Eb4 with your middle finger then bring your thumb under your index finger to F4. Keep your wrist raised through this movement to ensure rapid movement over the required perfect fourth interval jump. Ascend the remaining perfect fourth interval through F, Gb, Ab and Bb. Your ring finger should land on Bb5, one octave higher than where you started.

2. Descend the Bb minor scale. Come down a perfect fourth interval through Bb, Ab, Gb and F. Your thumb should now be on F4. Cross your index finger over your thumb to Eb4. Descend a minor third interval through Eb, Db and C. Cross your index finger over your thumb to Bb4. Your fingers should now be in the original starting position.

3. Focus on your left hand only. Place your middle finger on Bb3 and your thumb on C3. You will not use your index finger at all over the first three notes. Oscillating between Bb and C with your middle finger and thumb gives you much more control over the notes than using your index finger on Bb3 instead. Immediately cross your middle finger over your thumb to Db3. Ascend a major third interval through Db, Eb and F. Cross your ring finger over your thumb to Gb3. Ascend the remaining major third interval through Gb, Ab and Bb. Your index finger should land on Bb4, one octave higher than your starting note. This last major third interval will feel awkward so practice it a few times before descending.

4. Descend the Bb minor scale. With your index finger on Bb3, descend a major third interval through Bb, Ab and Gb. Bring your thumb under your ring finger to F3. Continue down the next major third interval through F, Eb and Db. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to C3 and finish out the scale by placing your middle finger on Bb3, the same note you started on.

5. Begin practicing ascending and descending the Bb minor scale at a tempo of no more than 70 beats per minute. This scale requires a lot of repetition due to the awkward nature of finger crossing and finger placement. As your weak fingers begin to increase accuracy you can then slowly increase your practicing tempo to no more than 165 beats per minute.