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Here we will focus on major scales. You can scroll down and see illustrations of all major scales,
further down you will see an overview with all the notes and the intervals, semi-tones and finally
the formula of the major scale. This theory helps you learn the concepts and memorizing it
easier. See also major scales exercises.
C Major
Notes:
Fingerings
C,
D,
(LH):
E,
5,
4,
F,
3,
G,
2,
A,
1,
B,
3,
C
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
D Major
Notes:
Fingerings
D,
(LH):
E,
F#,
5,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
E Major
4,
G,
3,
A,
2,
B,
1,
C#,
3,
2,
D
1
Notes:
E,
Fingerings
F#,
(LH):
G#,
5,
4,
A,
3,
B,
2,
C#,
1,
D#,
3,
2,
E
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
F Major
Notes:
F,
Fingerings
G,
(LH):
A,
5,
4,
Bb,
3,
C,
2,
D,
1,
E,
3,
2,
F
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4
G Major
Notes:
G,
Fingerings
A,
(LH):
B,
5,
4,
C,
3,
D,
2,
E,
1,
F#,
3,
2,
G
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
A Major
Notes:
Fingerings
A,
B,
(LH):
C#,
5,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4,
D,
3,
E,
2,
F#,
1,
G#,
3,
2,
A
1
B Major
Notes:
Fingerings
B,
C#,
(LH):
4,
D#,
E,
3,
2,
F#,
1,
G#,
4,
A#,
3,
2,
B
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
C# / Db Major
Notes:
Fingerings
Db,
Eb,
(LH):
F,
3,
2,
Gb,
1,
Ab,
4,
Bb,
3,
C,
2,
Db
1,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2
D# / Eb Major
Notes:
Fingerings
Eb,
F,
(LH):
G,
3,
2,
Ab,
1,
Bb,
4,
C,
3,
D,
2,
Eb
1,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3
F# /Gb Major
Notes:
F#,
G#,
A#,
B,
C#,
D#,
F,
F#
Fingerings
(LH):
4,
3,
2,
1,
3,
2,
1,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
G# / Ab Major
Notes:
Fingerings
Ab,
Bb,
(LH):
C,
3,
Db,
2,
Eb,
1,
F,
4,
G,
3,
2,
Ab
1,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
A# / Bb Major
Notes:
Fingerings
Bb,
C,
(LH):
D,
3,
Eb,
2,
F,
1,
G,
4,
A,
3,
2,
Bb
1,
Fingerings (RH): 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4
Major
C: C,
C#/Db: C#,
D: D,
Scales
D,
D#,
E,
F,
F#,
E,
overview
F,
G#,
A#,
B#,
F#,
G,
C#
G,
A,
Db,
Eb,
A,
F,
B,
Gb,
Ab,
B,
Bb,
C,
C#,
Db
D
D#/Eb: D#, E#, F##, G#, A#, B#, C##, D# / D#, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb
E: E,
F#,
G#,
F: F,
G,
A,
F#/Gb: F#,
G: G,
G#,
A#,
A,
G#/Ab: G#,
A#,
A: A,
B,
A#/Bb: A#,
B#,
B: B,
C#,
B,
A,
Bb,
C#,
D#,
B,
B#,
C#,
D#,
D#,
E#,
D#,
E#,
F#
F##,
Gb,
G#
F##,
E,
Ab,
A#
F#,
Bb,
Cb,
E,
Db,
E,
Ab,
Bb,
E,
G##,
D#,
D,
D,
D,
E#,
C#,
C,
C,
C#,
C##,
B,
Bb,
F,
F#,
C,
Db,
F#,
/
Eb,
C,
G#,
Eb,
G
F,
G,
G#,
D,
Eb,
F,
A#,
Gb
Ab
A
G,
A,
Bb
B
Left
hand
Intervals
Formula:
Right
hand
and
Interval:
Semi-notes:
RH
steps
1,
2
Whole,
2
Whole,
2,
1
Half,
2
Whole,
3
2
Whole,
Whole,
Half
Another good thing to know about is the intervals and steps. This is always the same
about all the scales in a category, therefore this helps you a lot until you have
memorizing all the scales and also the opposite way: you dont need to memorize
everyone if you know the intervals. The nature of the intervals label the major scale to
a diatonic
Understand
scale.
the
notation
Some of the scales have two names divided by a slash (e.g. C# and Db), because they can be
played in two different keys. The notes are however the same on the keyboard. For example are
C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# and Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db (as in C# / Db) the same notes
but partly written different. In some cases there are double-sharps (e.g. F##) that could look
peculiar, see theory for an explanation. Also, the notes in the diagrams and the overview
sometimes differ. The reason behind is that the notes under the diagram are foremost thought to
be easy to understand.
C Major (notes: C - E - G)
D Minor (notes: D - F - A)
E Minor (notes: E - G - B)
F Major (notes: F - A - C)
G Major (notes: G - B - D)
A Minor (notes: A - C - E)
B Diminished (notes: B - D - F)
An easy way to start improvising on the piano is to play major scales together with the chords
that use the same notes. To explain further: you can for example play chords like C, Em, F, G
together with the C major scale. Preferable you play the chords with your left hand and notes
from
the
scale
with
your
right
(more
on
improvisation).
Another interesting thing is that different major scales have their own "sounds". For example C
is suitable for ballads and Eb will sound a bit like Bach.
The melodic
The harmonic
The natural minor scale is often referred to as the minor scale. This scale can sometimes confuse
people because it is in a way identical to the major scale. The A minor scales includes exactly the
same notes as the C major scale which makes them relative keys (read more about this further
down the page).
A Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
A,
B,
(LH):
C,
5,
4,
D,
3,
E,
2,
F,
1,
G,
3,
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
A# / Bb Minor
Notes:
A#,
Fingerings
C,
(LH):
C#,
2,
1,
D#,
3,
F,
2,
F#,
1,
G#,
4,
A#
3,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4
B Minor
Notes:
B,
Fingerings
C#,
(LH):
D,
4,
3,
E,
2,
F#,
1,
G,
4,
A,
3,
2,
B
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
C Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
C,
D,
(LH):
Eb,
5,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4,
F,
3,
G,
2,
Ab,
1,
Bb,
3,
2,
C
1
C# / Db Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
C#,
D#,
(LH):
3,
E,
F#,
2,
1,
G#,
4,
A,
3,
B,
C#
2,
1,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
D Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
D,
E,
(LH):
F,
5,
4,
G,
3,
A,
2,
Bb,
1,
C,
3,
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
D# / Eb Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
D#,
(LH):
F,
F#,
2,
1,
G#,
4,
A#,
3,
B,
2,
C#,
1,
D#
3,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3
E Minor
Notes:
E,
F#,
G,
A,
B,
C,
D,
Fingerings
(LH):
5,
4,
3,
2,
1,
3,
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
F Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
F,
G,
(LH):
Ab,
5,
4,
Bb,
3,
C,
2,
Db,
1,
Eb,
3,
2,
F
1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4
F# / Gb Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
F#,
G#,
(LH):
4,
A,
3,
B,
2,
C#,
1,
D,
3,
E,
2,
F#
1,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
G Minor
Notes:
Fingerings
G,
(LH):
A,
Bb,
5,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
G# /Ab Minor
4,
C,
3,
D,
2,
Eb,
1,
F,
3,
2,
G
1
Notes:
G#,
Fingerings
A#,
(LH):
B,
3,
C#,
2,
D#,
1,
3,
E,
2,
F#,
1,
G#
3,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Minor
Scales
A: A,
B,
C,
overview
D,
E,
F,
G,
C#,
C: C,
D,
F#,
F#,
F: F,
G,
F#/Gb: F#,
G: G,
A,
G#/Ab: G#,
A#,
C,
C#,
D#
C,
D,
Db,
Eb,
E,
F#
Eb,
F,
E,
F#,
C#,
C,
B,
C#
B,
B,
B,
Bb,
B,
Bb,
C,
A,
A#,
Bb,
G#,
Bb,
A,
A,
A,
Ab,
G#,
G#,
G,
A,
Ab,
F#,
G,
F,
G,
G,
E,
F,
D#/Eb: D#,
F#,
F,
D#,
E,
E: E,
E,
Eb,
C#/Db: C#,
D: D,
D,
D,
D,
C#,
D#,
G#
Left
hand
Intervals
Interval:
Semi-notes:
RH
Right
hand
and
1,
2
2,
-
b3,
-
steps
4,
5,
-
b6,
-
b7
-
Cb - Abm
Gb - Ebm
Db - Bbm
Ab - Fm
Eb - Cm
Bb - Gm
F - Dm
C - Am
G - Em
D - Bm
A - F#m
E - C#m
B - G#m
F# - D#m
C# - A#m
You don't need to memorize all relative keys, if you want to know the relative minor just go to
the
sixth
degree
in
the
major
scale.
Although the notes are the same there is a difference between two relative keys: the tonic (first
tone in the scale) is not the same and this leads to different sounds. If you play in the A minor
you will get a more gloomy and kind of melancholy sound comparing to C major.
Adding a blue note to the regular Pentatonic scale gives the Pentatonic Blues Scale.
These scales are for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the piano. The
"Major Blues Scale" is some less common than the "Minor Blues Scale" and, therefore,
we
start
with
minor
and
you
find
the
major
by
scrolling
down.
The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music, so there is no satisfying explanation
in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it sounds
when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!
C Pentatonic Blues
C# / Db Pentatonic Blues
D Pentatonic Blues
Notes: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D
D# / Eb Pentatonic Blues
E Pentatonic Blues
Notes: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E
F Pentatonic Blues
F# / Gb Pentatonic Blues
G Pentatonic Blues
G# / Ab Pentatonic Blues
A Pentatonic Blues
Notes: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A
A# / Bb Pentatonic Blues
B Pentatonic Blues
Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B
Pentatonic
Blues
C: C,
Eb,
C#/Db: C#,
F: F,
F#/Gb: F#,
F#,
F#,
F,
D#/Eb: D#,
E:
F,
E,
D: D,
Scales
G,
F#,
E,
G#,
G,
Ab,
A,
A,
Bb,
A,
G,
G,
G#,
Bb,
G#,
B,
C#
A,
C,
A#,
A#,
B,
B,
overview
C,
C#,
B,
C,
C#,
D,
D#
E
Eb,
E,
F#
G: G,
Bb,
C,
G#/Ab: G#,
B,
A: A,
C#,
C,
D,
D,
A#/Bb: A#,
C#,
B: B,
C#,
D,
D#,
D#,
E,
E,
F,
Intervals
D,
F,
D#,
F#,
G#
E,
G,
E#,
G#,
A#
A,
F#,
and
Interval:
1,
Semi-notes:
b3,
-
steps
4,
-
b5,
-
5,
-
b7
-
Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole
There
close
correlation
as
you
can
see.
So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales? By learning these scales you
will get great tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales are also
used in jazz improvisation). A tip is to use the left hand for a chord and play the notes
of the scale with the right. You can then combine a C blues scale with C7, F7 and G7
chords. In the same way you can combine a G blues scale with the chords G7, C7 and
D7
and
so
on
in
different keys.
You can also improvise blues in minor. A nice combination are the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7
together with the A pentatonic blues scale. Further reading: 12-bar blues.
Here are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic blues scales.
Notes: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C
Notes: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D
Notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F
Notes: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G
Major
D,
C#/Db: C#,
D: D,
Blues
Eb,
D#,
E,
D#/Eb: D#,
E,
E,
F,
F,
Scales
F,
F#,
F#,
G,
overview
G,
A,
G#,
A#,
C#
A,
B,
A#,
C,
D#
E: E,
F#,
G,
G#,
B,
C#,
F: F,
G,
Ab,
A,
C,
D,
F#/Gb: F#,
G: G,
G#,
A,
G#/Ab: G#,
A: A,
Intervals
Bb,
A#,
B,
A#/Bb: A#,
B: B,
A,
B,
B,
C,
C,
C#,
A#,
D,
C,
C#,
C#,
D,
C#,
D#,
E,
D,
D#,
and
F,
F#,
D#,
F#
E,
F,
G#
F#,
G,
A#
G#,
steps
Interval:
1,
Semi-notes:
2,
-
b3,
-
3,
-
5,
-
Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half
This guide will include The Modal Scales, Jazz Minor Scales and Bebop Scales.
jazz,
the
modal
scales
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian
Locrian
are
of
great
importance.
In theory the modal scales are more like keys or modus (interval in Latin), but we will use
either "scales" or "modes" as terms. The modal scales will probably feel kind of complicated in
the beginning since they are not like other typical scales. But the thing is: they are really just
variations of major scales. So, if you know the major scales you have an easy job to memorize
the
modal
scale.
For example, if we take the C major scale and play this in the Dorian mode, what
happens is that the notes remain the same, but the starting point is altered. So C - D E - F - G - A - B can change to D - E - F - G - A - B - C and become Dorian.
tonic
Dorian: The
tonic
Phrygian: The
tonic
change
tonic
change
Locrian: The
to
tonic
change
A
(this
is
identical
C.
to
change
tonic
Mixolydian: The
still
change
tonic
Lydian: The
Aeolian: The
is
D.
to
E.
to
F.
to
with
the
change
A
to
G.
minor
scale).
B.
What is all this good for you may ask? Why don't stick to the regular major scales? It is true that
the notes are the same in modes as in major scales, but not the order and that makes a big
difference. It is the changed order that give them a unique sound quality that is caused by a
different
root
note.
So how can we use the modes? The modes become useful then you for example are
playing a scale over a chord and don't want the regular major sound. In many music
styles it will not always sound good using major scales over chords. You may instead
use the Dorian mode and suddenly you have a different sound. Some modes (Ionian,
Lydian and Mixolydian) will sound good with major chords and some (Dorian,
Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian) will sound good with minor chords.
scales
in
jazz.
Above is an illustration of this scale in Cm. The next step is to use these notes in different modes
according to this:
C Melodic Minor - C D Eb F G A B
Dorian Mode - D Eb F G A B C D
Lydian Mode - Eb F G A B C D Eb
Mixolydian Mode - F G A B C D Eb F
Dominant Mode - G A B C D Eb F G
Locrian - A B C D Eb F G A
Altered Mode - B C D Eb F G A B
Scales
click
the
link
for
description
and
diagrams
of
these
scales.
Nine Tone Scales click the link for description and diagrams of these scales.
Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic scales. These scales are very common in
many styles but not at least in pop and rock music. See also Major Pentatonic Scales.
Cm
Notes:
Fingerings
C,
(LH):
Eb,
1,
F,
3,
G,
2,
Bb,
1,
C
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
C#m / Dbm
Notes:
Fingerings
C#,
(LH):
E,
2,
F#,
1,
G#,
3,
B,
2,
C#
1,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
Dm
Notes:
Fingerings
D,
(LH):
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
D#m / Ebm
F,
3,
G,
2,
A,
1,
C,
3,
D
2,
Notes:
Fingerings
D#,
(LH):
F#,
3,
G#,
2,
A#,
1,
C#,
3,
D#
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Em
Notes:
E,
Fingerings
(LH):
G,
3,
A,
2,
B,
1,
D,
3,
E
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Fm
Notes:
Fingerings
F,
(LH):
Ab,
4,
Bb,
3,
C,
2,
Eb,
1,
F
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
F#m / Gbm
Notes:
Fingerings
F#,
(LH):
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
A,
3,
B,
2,
C#,
1,
E,
2,
F#
1,
Gm
Notes:
Fingerings
G,
(LH):
Bb,
1,
C,
3,
D,
2,
F,
1,
G
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1
G#m / Abm
Notes:
Fingerings
G#,
(LH):
B,
2,
C#,
1,
D#,
5,
F#,
4,
G#
3,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Am
Notes:
Fingerings
A,
(LH):
C,
3,
D,
2,
E,
1,
G,
3,
A
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
A#m / Bbm
Notes:
A#,
C#,
D#,
E#,
G#,
A#
Fingerings
(LH):
4,
3,
2,
1,
4,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3
Bm
Notes:
B,
Fingerings
D,
(LH):
E,
3,
F#,
2,
1,
A,
3,
B
2,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
Pentatonic
C: C,
Minor
Eb,
F,
C#/Db: C#,
D: D,
Scales
G,
E,
F#,
F,
G#,
G,
D#/Eb: D#,
overview
A,
F#,
G#,
Bb,
B,
C#
C,
A#,
C#,
D#
E: E,
G,
A,
B,
D,
F: F,
Ab,
Bb,
C,
Eb,
C#,
E,
F#
D,
F,
F#/Gb: F#,
G: G,
A,
Bb,
C,
G#/Ab: G#,
A: A,
B,
B,
C#,
C,
A#/Bb: A#,
D#,
D,
C#,
F#,
E,
D#,
G#
G,
E#,
G#,
A#
4,
5,
b7
B: B, D, E, F#, A, B
Interval:
Semi-notes:
1,
3
b3,
-
Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole
Notes:
Fingerings
C,
(LH):
D,
3,
E,
2,
G,
1,
A,
2,
C
1,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
C# / Db
Notes:
Fingerings
C#,
(LH):
D#,
3,
F,
2,
G#,
1,
A#,
4,
C#
3,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4
Notes:
Fingerings
D,
(LH):
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4
D# / Eb
E,
2,
F#,
1,
A,
3,
B,
2,
D
1,
Notes:
Fingerings
D#,
(LH):
F,
3,
G,
2,
A#,
1,
C,
2,
D#
1,
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
Notes:
Fingerings
E,
(LH):
F#,
4,
G#,
3,
B,
2,
C#,
1,
E
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Notes:
Fingerings
F,
(LH):
G,
3,
A,
2,
C,
1,
D,
2,
F
1,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4
F# / Gb
Notes:
Fingerings
F#,
(LH):
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
G#,
3,
A#,
2,
C#,
1,
D#,
3,
F#
2,
Notes:
Fingerings
G,
(LH):
A,
3,
B,
2,
D,
1,
E,
2,
G
1,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4
G# / Ab
Notes:
Fingerings
G#,
(LH):
Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3
A#,
3,
C,
2,
D#,
1,
F,
2,
G#
1,
Notes:
Fingerings
A,
B,
(LH):
C#,
2,
E,
1,
2,
F#,
1,
A
3,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1
A# / Bb
Notes:
Fingerings
A#,
C,
(LH):
D,
3,
F,
2,
1,
G,
2,
A#
1,
Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3
Notes:
Fingerings
B,
C#,
(LH):
D#,
1,
5,
F#,
4,
3,
G#,B
2,
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
Pentatonic
C: C,
Major
D,
C#/Db: C#,
D: D,
Scales
E,
G,
D#,
E,
D#/Eb: D#,
F,
F#,
F,
G,
G#,
overview
A,
A#,
A,
B,
A#,
C,
C
C#
D
D#
E: E,
F#,
G#,
B,
C#,
F: F,
G,
A,
C,
D,
F#/Gb: F#,
G#,
A#,
C#,
D#,
F#
G: G,
A,
B,
G#/Ab: G#,
A: A,
D,
A#,
B,
C,
D#,
C#,
A#/Bb: A#,
C,
E,
F,
G#
F#,
F,
G,
A#
3,
5,
E,
D,
1,
2
2,
-
Formula: Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half
Relative Minor
Am
C#
Bbm
Bm
D#
Cm
C#m
Dm
F#
Ebm
Em
G#
Fm
F#m
A#
Gm
Abm
Pentatonic Minor
Am
C#
Bbm
Bm
D#
Cm
C#m
Dm
F#
Ebm
Em
G#
Fm
F#m
A#
Gm
Abm