How to Play a C Dorian Scale on Piano

Learning to play a C Dorian scale requires that you find a fine balance of raising your wrist to smoothly glide from black keys to white keys. C Dorian has two flats (Bb, Eb) and shares it key signature with Bb major and G minor. C Dorian is the second mode of Bb major and has a sound quality that is identical to any natural minor scale. When ascending and descending C Dorian, it is important to keep your wrist fluid in order to grab the octave turns with efficient means.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice the scale with your right hand. Place your thumb on C4 to begin. Ascend a minor third interval through C, D and Eb. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to F4. Ascend the remaining perfect fifth interval through the notes F, G, A, Bb and C natural. Your pinkie finger should be last to depress C5, one octave higher than the original pitch. As you approach the octave turn at C5, kick your wrist out to the right before coming back down the scale to increase the speed of the turn.

2. Descend the C Dorian scale with your right hand. Beginning with your pinkie finger on C5, descend the scale through C, Bb, A, G and F natural. Cross your middle finger over your thumb to Eb4. Descend the final minor third interval through Eb, D and C natural. Your thumb should land on C, the same position as you started.

3. Practice with your left hand only. Place your pinkie finger on C3 and ascend a perfect fifth interval through C, D, Eb, F and G natural. Pay attention to the placement of your first three fingers as they depress C, D and Eb. Your ring and middle fingers are naturally weak, so play through their respective notes (D, Eb) slowly to begin. Cross your middle finger over your thumb to A4. Ascend the remaining minor third interval through A, Bb and C natural. Your thumb should land on C4 before you stop.

4. Descend the C Dorian scale with your left hand. Beginning with your thumb on C4, descend a minor third interval through C, Bb and A natural. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to G3. Descend the final perfect fifth interval of the scale through G, F, Eb, D and C natural. Your pinkie finger should be the last to touch C3, the original pitch.

5. Practice the C Dorian scale with both hands at the same time. Begin this scale at a tempo of no more than 80 beats per minute. As the finger crossings become more comfortable, you should increase the tempo to no more than 180 beats per minute.