Fingering for Ascending Piano Scales
Certain piano finger techniques will help you improve your speed, but you must learn which techniques to use, and when. To learn how to read the fingered scale above, first read about basic piano fingering.
How to Play Ascending Piano Scales:
- On ascending scales beginning with a white key, start with your thumb (finger 1).
- In the middle of a scale, your thumb should cross under your middle finger. On the scale above, this happens between the E and the F.
- Fingers 1 and 5 are ideal for use on the white keys. When playing in a key signature with few sharps or flats, try to keep them off of the black keys.
Look at the C major scale above. As you probably know, C major has no accidentals, so every note is played with a white key. Play the C major scale slowly – while paying attention to the fingering – and repeat it until it feels natural.
