How to Play an F Dorian Scale on Piano

Learning to play the F Dorian scale on piano comes with several tricky finger crossings. These crossings will come more naturally if you have played through an Eb major scale at any octave on the keys. F Dorian is the second mode of Eb major and as such shares a key signature of three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab). The scale has three black keys and four white keys giving it a good key-height balance for your wrist to remain elevated for. The octave turn should be approached with great accuracy to ensure a solid turn from ascending to descending.

Instructions

1. Practice the scale with your right hand first. Place your thumb on F4. Ascend a perfect fourth interval through F, G, Ab and Bb. Bring your thumb under your ring finger to C5. This is as wide as any finger crossing will be on the piano, so shift your wrist to the right to close off some of the distance for your thumb. Ascend the last perfect fourth of the scale through C, D, Eb and F natural. Your ring finger should be the last to touch F5, one octave higher than the first pitch.

2. Descend the F Dorian scale with your right hand. Come down a perfect fourth interval through F, Eb, D and C natural. Cross your ring finger over thumb at Bb5. Again, this finger crossing is very wide so shift your wrist to the left this time to compensate. Descend the last perfect fourth interval through Bb, A, G and F natural. Your thumb should be the last to touch F4, the same note you started on.

3. Practice with your left hand only now. Place your pinkie finger on F3 to begin. Ascend a perfect fifth interval through F, G, Ab, Bb and C. Avoid making the mistake of landing your index finger on B natural instead of Bb. The finger will naturally fall on B natural so you must consciously move your index finger up and to the left to ensure accuracy on Bb. Cross your middle finger over your thumb at D4. Ascend the last minor third interval through D, Eb and F. Your thumb should land on F4 before you stop.

4. Descend the F Dorian scale with your left hand a minor third interval through F, Eb and D. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to C4. Descend the last perfect fifth interval of the scale through C, Bb, Ab, G and F. Your pinkie finger should land on F3.

5. Practice the F Dorian scale with both hands at the same time. Begin at a tempo of no more than 75 beats per minute and slowly increase it to no more than 150 beats per minute.