I've already taught using a brilliant scale-teaching aid from Natalie Wickham: free pdf downloads of fingering diagrams for major and natural/harmonic minor scales. If you're using your laptop in the studio, just resize one of the diagrams so that the scale you're teaching fills the the screen, then put the laptop on top of the piano. That'll teach'em to learn F# minor harmonic with the right fingerings, once and for all.
Links to both sets:
Major scale fingering diagrams
Natural and harmonic minor fingering diagrams
I can hardly wait until Natalie creates a melodic minor fingering diagram set, which will require a system for notating several melodic minor scales (such as F# and C# minor) which use a different fingering ascending than descending in the right hand.
Update 4/13: Natalie has indeed created a chart for the melodic minor scales. You can find it here.
You are feeding great information to everyone who are eager to learn the piano!
ReplyDeleteThanks, online piano course dude. That should read "everyone who IS eager to learn the piano".
ReplyDeleteGreat Resource!
ReplyDeletePiano fingering is a must for beginners. Beginners don't realize the importance of fingering. Each of the scales ae different and require you to play them in a way that makes it easier on you fingers. I remember trying to play an F Major scale with the same fingering as a G Major. That was a train wreck. Once I learned the proper fingering, it was a breeze.
Each time I practice scales I see my playing improve. Its like your fingers start to have a mind of their own. They almost know where to go without you having to think about it. I like to practice scales everyday for at least 15 minutes. I usually start with a single scale with one hand and end with both hands doing multiple scales (two to three).
Thank you i'll try this, think it will work with my learning style! do you know anywhere to get these finger scale charts for other modes i.e. mixolodian, dorian?
ReplyDeletecheers
jeni
Thanks a lot!
ReplyDeletethank you very much ..... i have been looking for these all over the place
ReplyDeleteEvery scale has the same fingering: You use the thumb by itself, 5 by itself, 2-3 together, and 2-3-4 together. You can "block" any scale like this, starting on any note.
DeleteExample -- B major, two octaves, LH: 4-3-2 together, 1, 4-3-2 together, 1, 3-2 together, 4-3-2 together, 1.