EZ Piano Method
EZ Lesson 21
Scales Part 2
Scales Part 2
In this lesson, we shall look at how scales are formed, and how they can be used to find out how to play any chord you need.
As you saw in the last lesson, a scale consists of eight notes, starting on any note, for example the note C, and ending on the next note of the same name (C).
If you look at Middle C on your piano, or keyboard, and then find the next C note to the right, (in the Green section of your template) you will see, just as you learned in the last lesson, that the C Major scale consists of all the white keys from Middle C, to the next C key.
The C Major scale, is the only Major scale, using just the white keys.
To find out the notes used in other Major scales, we need to learn about the black keys, as well as the white keys.
The difference in pitch, in other words the amount higher or lower, one key sounds from the key immediately next to it (which may be black or white) is called a semitone, or halfstep.
If you play the note Middle C, and then miss out the black key immediately to the right, and play the next available white key (D) the difference in pitch between these notes, is called a tone, or whole step.
All Major scales are made up of the same pattern of tones and semitones, so once you know this pattern, you can play any Major scale you want.
Here is an example of the C Major scale showing the pattern of tones and semitones
As you saw in the last lesson, a scale consists of eight notes, starting on any note, for example the note C, and ending on the next note of the same name (C).
If you look at Middle C on your piano, or keyboard, and then find the next C note to the right, (in the Green section of your template) you will see, just as you learned in the last lesson, that the C Major scale consists of all the white keys from Middle C, to the next C key.
The C Major scale, is the only Major scale, using just the white keys.
To find out the notes used in other Major scales, we need to learn about the black keys, as well as the white keys.
The difference in pitch, in other words the amount higher or lower, one key sounds from the key immediately next to it (which may be black or white) is called a semitone, or halfstep.
If you play the note Middle C, and then miss out the black key immediately to the right, and play the next available white key (D) the difference in pitch between these notes, is called a tone, or whole step.
All Major scales are made up of the same pattern of tones and semitones, so once you know this pattern, you can play any Major scale you want.
Here is an example of the C Major scale showing the pattern of tones and semitones
C tone D tone E semitone F tone G tone A tone B semitone C
Try this pattern out for yourself, on your keyboard.
You can apply this pattern, starting on any key of your piano, and if you, have studied it carefully, you will find that you can play every major scale, possible.
Try this pattern out for yourself, on your keyboard.
You can apply this pattern, starting on any key of your piano, and if you, have studied it carefully, you will find that you can play every major scale, possible.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
tone tone semitone tone tone tone semitone
It can be useful to say the words 'Tone' and 'Semitone' out loud while you practice this, and it will soon be stored in your memory forever.
!tip! Please don't say the first, 'Tone' until you have played the second note, D
A common mistake, I have found, is that students say "tone" as soon as they play the first note, C.
This will throw the sequence out, and be very confusing.
The video below will demonstrate this far better than words can
!tip! Please don't say the first, 'Tone' until you have played the second note, D
A common mistake, I have found, is that students say "tone" as soon as they play the first note, C.
This will throw the sequence out, and be very confusing.
The video below will demonstrate this far better than words can