Basics
The C major scale
Eight notes in a row — the friendliest scale to start with.
2 min read
A scale is a ladder of notes that steps from one note up to the same note an octave higher. C major is the easiest of all: it uses only the white keys.
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ZC3
XD3
CE3
VF3
BG3
NA3
MB3
AC4
SD4
DE4
FF4
GG4
HA4
JB4
KC5
LD5
;E5
'F5
G5
A5
B5
C6
W
E
T
Y
U
O
P
C major: C D E F G A B C — eight white keys in a row.
Fingers that flow
With the right hand you can’t fit five fingers over eight keys, so the thumb tucks under after the third note: thumb, 2, 3, then thumb again, 2, 3, 4, 5. That little tuck keeps the scale smooth.
Tip: Play it slowly and evenly before you play it fast. A steady slow scale beats a rushed, bumpy one every time — try the scale warm-up on the Practice page.
Open the scale warm-up →