Fingering for Piano Major Scales

PIANO SCALE FINGERING LEFT HAND:
Left hand scale finger is a little more complicated.

LET'S USE THIS SIMPLE PRINCIPLE ON SCALE FINGERING:


Basic left hand scale fingering is: 5-4-3-2-1   3-2-1  (Ascending)
Use this fingering for scales on: C  G  D  E  A and F.
All scales starting on White Notes.
Exception:B Scale, see fingering below:
 

B Scale uses the same principles as the right hand scales that start on
black notes.  Using the fingering in the picture above and place the
thumb on the white keys.  It's been taught to start B Scale with the
4 finger on B, but.........why not use the thumb and follow the pattern.
1     3-2-1   4-3-2-1

F Sharp Scale or G Flat Scale: Uses the same principles as in the
picture above.  The fingers 3-2 go on the set of 2 black keys and fingers
4-3-2 go on the set of 3 black keys, thumb goes in the white key slots. 
The Scale would then start of the 4 finger.  4-3-2-1    3-2-1

ALL OTHER SCALES STARTING ON BLACK NOTES IN THE LEFT HAND
YOU CAN START ON THE 3 FINGER. 
B FLAT, E FLAT, A FLAT AND D FLAT, ALL START ON THE 3 FINGER     

   
PIANO CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:
The same principle as the right hand, just reversed.

BASIC IDEA FOR CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:

Chords are every other note so use every other finger.  5-3-1

CHORD INVERSIONS:  This is taught in our Chord Book.

Using C chord inversions for examples: It's all about spacing.

FIRST INVERSION C CHORD = E - G - C   Use 5-3-1

1.  E TO G = 3 note interval  E - F - G, smallest grouping of notes
2.  G TO C = 4 note interval  G - A - B - C, largest grouping of notes


FIRST INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-3-1. 
This is very easy fingering in the left hand, because when playing
G and C, we can use the widest range in our hand the 3 to the thumb.
 

SECOND INVERSION C CHORD = G - C - E  Use 5-2-1
1.  G to C = 4 note interval, G - A - B - C  largest grouping of notes,
2.  C TO E =3 note interval, C - D - E  smallest grouping of notes

SECOND INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-2-1
WHY? G to C is the largest grouping of notes, so we have to
accommodate that with using the 2 finger on C, adding more
space between our fingers.


Remember, the basic principles of fingering is to use your fingers and hand
in natural positions.  Always think of how the black keys are used in your
songs, and how to use the tight and open hand spans.  I've used the
scales and chord fingerings to help you get this idea.   


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Alana LaGrange is the founder of
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