EKS Lesson Six Chord and scale syllabus
EKS Lesson Six Chord and scale syllabus
As we have done throughout the course so far, it is now time to learn the scale that accompanies each of our new chords. So, we are going to learn the major scales of F, E and B.
The exercises are written firstly for your right hand (Exercises 7, 8, 9) and then for your left hand (Exercises 10,11,12).
You know how to finger scales. So, we have written the exercise on the keyboard diagrams showing you the scale and then again on the musical stave. Use the supportive multimedia as always.
For some scales the ‘thumb under’ technique leads to an awkward movement. These are chords in which the thumb would move under and onto a black note. To aid fluency of movement, we can alter the normal pattern so that the ‘thumb under’ falls onto a white note.
For example, the scales of F and F minor in the right hand:
From: T, 1, 2, T, 1, 2, 3, 4
To: T, 1, 2, 3, T, 1, 2, 3
The Scale of B in the left hand:
From : 4, 3, 2, 1, T, 2, 1, T
To: 3, 2, 1, T, 3, 2, 1, T
A ‘rule of thumb’ of classical piano playing is that, in scales, the thumb never lands on a black note.
Next: Right hand scales
