Major and Natural Minor Scales for Piano Players
admin | Aug 30, 2009 | 0 comments
Piano Sheet Music Articles…
The first task for an aspiring piano player is learning where all the notes on the piano are located. The next lesson is usually how to play the various scales. There are many different types of scales on the piano. You have major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales. There are also blues scales. Today you will learn how to play the major and natural minor scales.
A major scale is a series of notes composed of whole and half steps. A half step is simply the distance from one note to the very next. For example, E to F is a half step. Ab to A is also a half step. A whole step is just two half steps. Bb to C and F to G are two examples of whole steps. With this in mind, you can easily construct a major scale if you know the formula.
Starting on any note, the formula to find the major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. W refers to a whole step, and H refers to a half step. For example, let’s use the formula to find the C major scale. Start on C, go a whole step to D, whole step to E, half step to F, whole step to G, whole step to A, whole step to B, half step up to C. You will notice that there are no black keys in the C, so let’s find a major scale that has some. For the Eb major scale, start on Eb and go a whole step up to F, whole step up to G, half step up to Ab, whole step up to Bb, whole step up to C, whole step up to D, and half step up to Eb. Once you memorize this formula, you can quickly find any major scale.
Playing a natural minor scale is just as easy. The formula to find a minor scale is just slightly difference. The formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. So you can see the difference between major and minor, let’s find the C minor scale since you’ve already seen the C major scale. Start on C, go a whole step to D, half step to Eb, whole step to F, whole step to G, half step to Ab, whole step to Bb, whole step to C. Now to play the Eb minor scale. Start on Eb, go a whole step to F, half step up to Gb, whole step up to Ab, whole step up to Bb, half step up to Cb, whole step up to Db, whole step up to Eb.
Playing major and natural minor scales is a simple process once you’ve memorized the formula. It’s a good idea to practice your scales every single day for however long you desire. You will begin playing them with ease in no time at all. Mastering the art of playing scales will make your mastery of more advanced piano lessons much easier.
Interactive Music Community
The first task for an aspiring piano player is learning where all the notes on the piano are located. The next lesson is usually how to play the various scales. There are many different types of scales on the piano. You have major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales. There are also blues scales. Today you will learn how to play the major and natural minor scales.
A major scale is a series of notes composed of whole and half steps. A half step is simply the distance from one note to the very next. For example, E to F is a half step. Ab to A is also a half step. A whole step is just two half steps. Bb to C and F to G are two examples of whole steps. With this in mind, you can easily construct a major scale if you know the formula.
Starting on any note, the formula to find the major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. W refers to a whole step, and H refers to a half step. For example, let’s use the formula to find the C major scale. Start on C, go a whole step to D, whole step to E, half step to F, whole step to G, whole step to A, whole step to B, half step up to C. You will notice that there are no black keys in the C, so let’s find a major scale that has some. For the Eb major scale, start on Eb and go a whole step up to F, whole step up to G, half step up to Ab, whole step up to Bb, whole step up to C, whole step up to D, and half step up to Eb. Once you memorize this formula, you can quickly find any major scale.
Playing a natural minor scale is just as easy. The formula to find a minor scale is just slightly difference. The formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. So you can see the difference between major and minor, let’s find the C minor scale since you’ve already seen the C major scale. Start on C, go a whole step to D, half step to Eb, whole step to F, whole step to G, half step to Ab, whole step to Bb, whole step to C. Now to play the Eb minor scale. Start on Eb, go a whole step to F, half step up to Gb, whole step up to Ab, whole step up to Bb, half step up to Cb, whole step up to Db, whole step up to Eb.
Playing major and natural minor scales is a simple process once you’ve memorized the formula. It’s a good idea to practice your scales every single day for however long you desire. You will begin playing them with ease in no time at all. Mastering the art of playing scales will make your mastery of more advanced piano lessons much easier.
Interactive Music Community
See What People Are Buying
Samsung OEM USB Travel Charger Adapter with Data Cable MicroUSB - Bulk Packaging - BlackOEM Samsung USB Travel Charger Adapter with Data Cable micro USB for Samsung Epic. You can charge your phone from an outlet or USB port and provides data transfer and sync capabilities.
Belkin N150 Wireless N RouterThe Belkin N150 Wireless Router is the fastest N150 router at long range versus other leading brands.† The Belkin N150 Wireless Router is ideal for ... Read More >
BlackBerry Factory Original Travel Charger - Non-Retail Packaging - BlackFor the professional executive on the go, this charger is a must! The travel charger is lightweight and easy to carry while traveling. Simply plug one end into the wall, the other into the phone or desktop charger, and it will recharge and condition your battery.
Piano and Keyboard MethodThis new version of eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method offers everything you need to learn how to play! Piano instructor, Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who h... Read More >
iTouchless Deodorizer Touch-Free Sensor 13-Gallon Automatic Stainless-Steel Trash CanDon't just mask smelly garbage odors with fragrances and messy baking soda; eliminate them. The upgraded DZT13 is now equipped with a Carbon Filter Ga... Read More >
Sylvania SDVD9000B2 9-Inch Portable DVD Player with Car Bag/Kit, Swivel Screen, USB/SD Card Reader, Piano Black FinishBoasting a large, 9-inch high-resolution widescreen display and a rechargeable battery life, this portable device is ideal for long flights and car ri... Read More >
eb5 Facial Cream (4 Ounces)Created by Research Pharmacist Robert Heldfond, eb5 Facial Cream is designed for men and women, seniors and baby boomers alike, who are concerned abou... Read More >
The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences: Includes All the Major, Minor (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic) & Chromatic Scales - Plus Additional Instructions on Music FundamentalsScale, chord, arpeggio and cadence studies in all major and minor keys presented in a convenient two-page format. Includes an in-depth 12 page explana... Read More >
My PianoMy Piano is a unique and fun way for kids ages 6 and up to learn how to play piano or keyboard! An animated character named Pam the Piano guides kids ... Read More >
The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences: Includes All the Major, Minor (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic) & Chromatic Scales - Plus Additional Instructions on Music FundamentalsScale, chord, arpeggio and cadence studies in all major and minor keys presented in a convenient two-page format. Includes an in-depth 12 page explana... Read More >
Tubular Spring Scale - Blue 250gMeasure forces and weights in the science classroom using this scale! This tubular spring scale is easy to read and use for students and teachers alik... Read More >
Black & Decker EB-007 Edger Hog Heavy-Duty Edger Replacement BladeThe Black & Decker Edger Hog heavy-duty edger replacement blade is designed for use with the 2-in-1 Landscape Trencher. This 7-1/2-inch serrated edger... Read More >
Ideaworks Weather Resistant Outdoor StepIdeaworks Outdoor Step
Step Securely Into Your Doorway. Designed to help you climb steps with ease- indoors or out.
Cut the rise and effort in half ... Read More >
Fein 921072K13 Step AdaptorThis is a step adaptor for the 1-1/4-inch hose on the Fein vacuums. The adaptor reduces from 1-1/4-inch down to 1-inch. This allows Feins hose to adapt to different sized dust ports on tools from different manufacturers. The rubber adaptor can be cut to the correct step size for the tools dust port.
Filed Under: Piano Players
