A scale is an ordered set of pitches. On piano, scales train two things at once: knowledge of key signatures (which notes are sharp or flat), and the physical pattern of thumb-crossings that gets you smoothly from one end of the keyboard to the other.

Standard right-hand fingering, C major

C major, ascending: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C). The thumb crosses under after the third finger to reach F. Descending: reverse the pattern, third finger crosses over the thumb after F.

Standard left-hand fingering, C major

C major, ascending: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1. The third finger crosses over the thumb after G.

The three-finger group and the four-finger group

Every major scale’s fingering is a variation on: one thumb-crossing groups three notes (1-2-3), one thumb-crossing groups four notes (1-2-3-4). C major puts the three-group at the start; other keys shift the groups depending on where the black keys fall.

The order to learn the 12 major scales

1. C major (0 sharps, 0 flats). White keys only.
2. G major (1 sharp: F#). Same fingering as C.
3. D major (2 sharps: F#, C#). Same fingering.
4. A major (3 sharps). Same fingering.
5. E major (4 sharps). Same fingering.
6. F major (1 flat: B♭). Slight fingering change (right hand: 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4).
7. B♭ major (2 flats). Different fingering.
8. E♭ major (3 flats). Different fingering.
9. A♭ major (4 flats). Different fingering.
10. D♭ major (5 flats). Different fingering.
11. B major (5 sharps). Different fingering.
12. F#/G♭ major (6 sharps or 6 flats). The physically hardest scale.

Practice targets by month

• Month 1: C, G, D at 60 BPM, hands separately, then hands together.
• Month 2: add A, E, F, B♭ at 60 BPM.
• Month 3: all 12 major scales at 60 BPM.
• Month 6: all 12 at 100 BPM, hands together, two octaves.
• Month 12: all 12 at 120 BPM, four octaves, and all three forms of minor (natural, harmonic, melodic).

Try the tool

The circle of fifths plays every scale when you click a key. Use it to hear the target sound before you play it.