How to Play a C Aeolian Scale on Piano

Learning to play a C Aeolian scale on piano requires that you familiarize yourself with several raised black notes that present some awkward finger positions. C Aeolian is the sixth mode of Ab major. It has four flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db) and shares its key signature with Ab major. You must play four black notes and three white notes, forcing you to keep your wrist raised off of the keyboard at all times. Focus much of your practice time on keeping your fingers curled and your elbow fluid.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice with your right hand only. Place your thumb on C4 to begin. Ascend a minor third interval through C, Db and Eb. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to F4. Ascend the remaining perfect fifth interval through F, G, Ab, Bb and C natural. Your pinkie finger should be last to depress C5, one octave higher than the pitch on which you started. As you play through the last three notes of the scale (Ab, Bb, C) keep both your wrist and your elbow slightly pointed to the right to increase the speed at which you turn the octave to descend the scale.

2. Descend the C Aeolian scale with your right hand. Beginning with your pinkie finger on C5, descend a perfect fifth interval through the notes C, Bb, Ab, G and F natural. Cross your middle finger over your thumb to Eb4. Descend the remaining minor third interval of the scale through the notes Eb, Db and C natural. When you play through Db and Eb with your middle finger and ring finger, respectively, keep those fingers well curled to give you more strength to increase note accuracy.

3. Practice with your left hand only now. Place your pinkie finger on C3 to begin. Ascend a perfect fifth interval through C, Db, Eb F and G natural. Cross your middle finger over your thumb to Ab3. Ascend the remaining major third interval through Ab, Bb and C natural. Your thumb should land on C4, one octave higher than the first pitch.

4. Descend the C Aeolian scale with your left hand. Beginning with your thumb on C4, descend a major third interval through C, Bb and Ab. Bring your thumb under your middle finger to G3. Descend the final perfect fifth interval of the scale through the notes G, F, Eb, Db and C natural. Your pinkie finger should now be on C3, the same pitch you first played.

5. Practice the C Aeolian scale with both hands simultaneously. Begin at a practice tempo of no more than 85 beats per minute. Slowly increase the tempo on your metronome to no more than 175 beats per minute.