Major & Minor Piano Scales in 12 Keys With Fingerings! (2024)

If you are an aspiring jazz pianist, you’ll need to master basic piano scales!

Learning major and minor scales on the piano will help you improve your improvisation and understand chord-key relationships. As it turns out, many aspects of music theory depend on understanding scales inside and out.

Luckily, we’ve compiled all the piano scales you need here in this article!

We’ll review the major and natural minor scales on the piano in all twelve keys, explore other important jazz scales like the harmonic and melodic minor scales, and discuss some important ways to practice them on piano!

By the end, you’ll be an expert at jazz piano scales! But, before we dig in…

If you want to improve your playing and understanding of jazz, join the Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle. We have all the resources you need (including piano-specific resources) to help you take your jazz playing to the next level!

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Major and Minor Scales on Piano

First, let’s start with the basics! We have to get some basic scale theory out of the way. In this article, we’ll explore both major and minor scales, but we have to understand the relationship between them.

The major scale and the natural minor scale share a special relationship, which can be best explained by looking at the C major scale and the A natural minor scale side by side. The C major and A natural minor scales are actually the same if you look at the notes within each!

Check out the C major scale in note sequence and shown on the piano:

• C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

Now, compare that to the A minor scale:

• A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A

The sequence of notes is the same.

Looking at both scales on the staff helps you see that each scale shares the same notes. Here is C major outlined in blue on the staff:

Here is A minor outlined in red on the staff:

The only difference lies in where you start in that sequence.

Even though the major scales and minor scales are technically the same,musically, they are separate scales.That’s why we will first explore all the major scales on the piano and then all the minor scales.

Piano Scales and Fingerings

Under each section, we’ll provide both left-hand and right-hand fingerings for each scale so you can practice each fingering on the piano in both hands. Take a look at the image below to see how the fingers on the left and right hands are labeled.

Left Hand:

• Pinky: 5
• Ring: 4
• Middle: 3
• Pointer: 2
• Thumb: 1

Right Hand:

• Thumb: 1
• Pointer: 2
• Middle: 3
• Ring: 4
• Pinky: 5

With that out of the way, let’s get to major scales on the piano!

Major Scales on Piano

Let’s start with the major scales on the piano! Unlike instruments like the guitar, where shapes are transposable, each piano scale has a unique pattern on the piano keyboard (much to the excitement of piano students everywhere).

Each major scale contains the same scale formula (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), but the piano’s physical setup means scales change shape when you change key signatures. Essentially, you get a different sequence of black-and-white keys depending on which key signature you are playing in.

Remember that the scale formula is the same when playing these major scales, but the sequence of black-and-white keys will change with each new key signature. The same is true for other piano scales, like the natural minor scale, minor blues scales, and other minor scales.

C Major Scale

Let’s check out the C major scale on the staff:

The key signature for C major has no sharps or flats!

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
• Relative Minor Scale: A Natural Minor Scale (they share the same key signature)

C Major Left-Hand Fingering:

C Major Right-Hand Fingering:

F Major Scale

Let’s check out the F major on the staff:

F major has one flat: Bb.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F
• Relative Minor: D Natural Minor Scale

F Major Left-Hand Fingering:

F Major Right-Hand Fingering:

Bb Major Scale

Check out Bb Major on the staff:

The key signature for B Flat Major has two flats: Bb and Eb.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
• Relative Minor: G Minor Scale

Bb Major Scale Left-Hand Fingering:

Bb Major Scale Right-Hand Fingering:

Eb Major Scale

Let’s explore Eb major on the staff:

Eb major has three flats: Bb, Eb, and Ab.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C-D-Eb
• Relative Minor: C minor

Eb Major Left-Hand Fingering:

Eb Major Right-Hand Fingering:

Ab Major Scale

Here is the Ab Major scale on the staff:

The key signature for Ab major has four flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb-F-G-Ab
• Relative Minor: F Minor

Ab Major Left-Hand Fingering:

Ab Major Right-Hand Fingering:

Db Major Scale (C# Major)

Here is the Db major scale on the staff. It is enharmonically equivalent to the C# major scale, which means the pitches are the same, but the scale is spelled differently. With C# major, every note is sharp: C#-D#-E#-F#-G#-A#-B#-C#.

Db major has five flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, and Gb.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Db-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb-C-Db
• The relative minor of Db major is Bb minor.

Db Major Left-Hand Fingering:

Db Major Right-Hand Fingering:

F# Major Scale (Gb Major)

Below, you’ll find F# major on the staff. F# is enharmonically equivalent to Gb major.

F# major has six sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, and E#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• F#-G#-A#-B-C#-D#-E#-F#
• Relative minor: D# minor (Eb minor)

F# Major Left-Hand Fingering:

F# Major Right-Hand Fingering:

B Major Scale

Here is the B major scale on the staff:

B Major has five sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• B-C#-D#-E-F#-G#-A#-B
• Relative Minor: G# minor (Ab minor)

B Major Left-Hand Fingering:

B Major Right-Hand Fingering:

E Major Scale

Here is E major on the staff:

E major has four sharps: F#, C#, G#, and D#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• E-F#-G#-A-B-C#-D#-E
• Relative Minor: C# Minor

E Major Left-Hand Fingering:

E Major Right-Hand Fingering:

A Major Scale

Here is A major on the staff:

A major has three sharps: F#, C#, and G#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A
• Relative Minor: F# Minor

A Major Left-Hand Fingering:

A Major Right-Hand Fingering:

D Major Scale

Here is D major on the staff:

D Major has two sharps: F# and C#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D
• Relative Minor: B minor

D Major Scale Left-Hand Fingering:

D Major Right-Hand Fingering:

G Major Scale

Here is the G major scale on the staff:

G major only has one sharp: F#.

• W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G
• Relative Minor: E minor

G Major Left-Hand Fingering:

G Major Right-Hand Fingering:

Minor Scales on Piano

Now it’s time to learn natural minor scales on piano in all twelve keys!

Like our major scales on the piano, the minor scale formula is the same no matter the key signature, but the sequence of black-and-white keys will change with each new key signature. The minor scale formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W.

C Minor Scale

Let’s start our exploration of minor piano scales with the C natural minor scale! Here it is on the staff:

The key signature for C minor has three flats: Bb, Eb, and Ab.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C
• Relative Major: Eb Major

C Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

C Minor Right Hand Fingering:

F Minor Scale

Here is the F minor scale on the staff:

F minor has four flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• F-G-Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb-F
• Relative Major: Ab Major

F Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

F Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

Bb Minor Scale

Here is the Bb minor scale on the staff:

The key signature for Bb minor has five flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, and Gb.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• Bb-C-Db-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb
• Relative major: Db major

Bb Minor Scale Left-Hand Fingering:

Bb Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

Eb Minor Scale (D# Minor)

Below is the Eb minor scale on the staff. Eb minor is enharmonically equivalent to D# minor.

Eb minor has six flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb
• Relative Major: Gb major (F# major)

Eb Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

Eb Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

G# Minor Scale

Here is G# minor on the staff:

G# minor has five sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• G#-A#-B-C#-D#-E-F#-G#
• Relative Major: B Major

G# Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

G# Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

C# Minor Scale

Here is C# minor on the staff:

C# Minor has four sharps: F#, C#, G#, and D#.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• C#-D#-E-F#-G#-A-B-C#
• Relative Major: E Major

C# Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

C# Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

F# Minor Scale

Here is F# minor on the staff:

F Sharp minor has three sharps: F#, C#, and G#.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• F#-G#-A-B-C#-D-E-F#
• Relative Major: A Major

F# Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

F# Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

B Minor Scale

Below, you’ll find B minor on the staff:

B minor has two sharps: F# and C#.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• B-C#-D-E-F#-G-A-B
• Relative Major: D major

B Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

B Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

E Minor Scale

Here is the E minor scale on the staff:

E minor has one sharp: F#.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• E-F#-G-A-B-C-D-E
• Relative Major: G major

E Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

E Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

A Minor Scale

A minor has no sharps or flats!

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A
• Relative Major: C Major

A Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

A Minor Scale Right-Hand Fingering:

D Minor Scale

Let’s check out the D minor scale on the staff:

D Minor has one flat: Bb.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C-D
• Relative major: F Major

D Minor Scale Left-Hand Fingering:

D Minor Scale Right-Hand Fingering:

G Minor Scale

Here is G minor on the staff:

G Minor has two flats: Bb and Eb.

• W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G
• Relative Major: Bb Major

G Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

G Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

Other Jazz Scales On Piano

Major and natural minor scales are diatonic, which means they are derived from the major scale (that’s kind of a redundancy, but you get the point). You should learn other scales that are not derived from major scales. These are non-diatonic scales, and they include:

• The Melodic Minor Scale
• The Harmonic Minor Scale

Let’s explore each in greater detail.

Jazz Melodic Minor Scale

In classical music, the melodic minor scale has major 6th and 7th scale degrees when ascending and minor 6th and 7th scale degrees when descending. However, in jazz, we keep the 6th and 7th major whether or not we ascend or descend.

Therefore, for our purposes, melodic minor scales are like natural minor scales, except they have a major 6th and 7th instead of a minor 6th and 7th.

• W-H-W-W-W-W-H
• A-B-C-D-E-F#-G#-A

A Melodic Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

A Melodic Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

Harmonic Minor Scale

Harmonic minor scales are like natural minor scales, but they have a major seventh interval instead of a minor seventh interval.

Because of this, harmonic minor scales are not diatonic scales. Major scales and natural minor scales are comprised of half steps and whole steps, but harmonic minor contains a minor third interval! Check it out below:

• W-H-W-W-H-m3-H
• A-B-C-D-E-F-G#-A

A Harmonic Minor Left-Hand Fingering:

A Harmonic Minor Right-Hand Fingering:

You should note that playing the melodic minor or harmonic minor scale in other keys will change the fingerings!

Practicing Scales on Piano

Whether you play jazz, rock, or classical music, playing the piano generally requires knowing many different types of piano scales. You’ll also need to learn how to practice piano scales to get the most out of your practice sessions.

There are three main things to focus on when practicing scales:

1. Technique
2. Variations
3. Applications

Piano teachers everywhere will agree! You need to have good technique (which includes time feel), know various ways to play the scales (intervalically, using melodic cells, or harmonized as chords), and know where and when to use them (application in a musical context).

Technique:

• Make sure you are practicing with a metronome
• Record yourself playing piano scales and listen critically for how you sound in terms of time-feel and tone production.
• Check out the Taubman Approach to learn the most ergonomic way to play piano.

Variations:

• Practice scales linearly (step-wise).
• Practice scales intervalically (3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, etc.).
• Practice different rhythmic patterns through scales (8th notes, 8th note triplets, quarter note triplets, 16th notes, etc.).

Applications:

• Learn the major scale modes and which diatonic major and minor chords each scale pairs with.
• Play scales through common chord progressions.
• Explore the many uses of non-diatonic scales in improvisation.

If you want to improve your jazz improvisation, you’ll want to learn many other piano scales not thoroughly addressed on this list. Scales like the pentatonic scale, blues scales, diminished scale, whole tone scale, and chromatic scale all have essential roles in improvisation.

Check out these extra resources for learning scales.

• For more on the modes, check out our guide to the seven musical modes.
• For more on how to use pentatonic scales, check out this article on 9 ways the pentatonic scale can supercharge your improv.
• For more on diminished scales, check out this article, which has everything you need to know about the diminished scale.
• For more on other essential jazz scales, check out this article on 16 jazz scales you need to know.
• For more information on the three types of minor scales, check out this article on how to tell the differences between minor scales.

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