| The first task for an aspiring piano player is learning | | | | a whole step up to F, whole step up to G, half step |
| where all the notes on the piano are located. The | | | | up to Ab, whole step up to Bb, whole step up to C, |
| next lesson is usually how to play the various scales. | | | | whole step up to D, and half step up to Eb. Once |
| There are many different types of scales on the | | | | you memorize this formula, you can quickly find any |
| piano. You have major, natural minor, harmonic minor, | | | | major scale. |
| and melodic minor scales. There are also blues scales. | | | | Playing a natural minor scale is just as easy. The |
| Today you will learn how to play the major and | | | | formula to find a minor scale is just slightly difference. |
| natural minor scales. | | | | The formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. So you can see |
| A major scale is a series of notes composed of | | | | the difference between major and minor, let's find |
| whole and half steps. A half step is simply the | | | | the C minor scale since you've already seen the C |
| distance from one note to the very next. For | | | | major scale. Start on C, go a whole step to D, half |
| example, E to F is a half step. Ab to A is also a half | | | | step to Eb, whole step to F, whole step to G, half |
| step. A whole step is just two half steps. Bb to C | | | | step to Ab, whole step to Bb, whole step to C. Now |
| and F to G are two examples of whole steps. With | | | | to play the Eb minor scale. Start on Eb, go a whole |
| this in mind, you can easily construct a major scale if | | | | step to F, half step up to Gb, whole step up to Ab, |
| you know the formula. | | | | whole step up to Bb, half step up to Cb, whole step |
| Starting on any note, the formula to find the major | | | | up to Db, whole step up to Eb. |
| scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. W refers to a whole | | | | Playing major and natural minor scales is a simple |
| step, and H refers to a half step. For example, let's | | | | process once you've memorized the formula. It's a |
| use the formula to find the C major scale. Start on C, | | | | good idea to practice your scales every single day |
| go a whole step to D, whole step to E, half step to | | | | for however long you desire. You will begin playing |
| F, whole step to G, whole step to A, whole step to | | | | them with ease in no time at all. Mastering the art of |
| B, half step up to C. You will notice that there are no | | | | playing scales will make your mastery of more |
| black keys in the C, so let's find a major scale that | | | | advanced piano lessons much easier. |
| has some. For the Eb major scale, start on Eb and go | | | | |