How To REALLY Practice Scales

[@denispoyser3910]

You are a great teacher, very simply explained. Being in my eighties I need to grasp things quickly. I have been a wind instrument and brass musician now need to fulfill my love of playing via the keyboard,. Thanks for your lessons.......

[@Piano_Pig]

Thanks Denis! Glad you are enjoying the videos :)

[@11111972cjb]

Well, this gives me hope! I'm 67 and looking for my first piano/keyboard but thought I was too old to learn. I need something to occupy my mind as I slowly slip into decrepantcy and a couple of marbles slip out of position.. Good on you for doing it at your age.

[@sampanicker4725]

Best of luck

[@RedAvery1]

Take your time

[@therealwhite]

@GhostDogg o yess man, it's never too late, and hey, you can go as far as you want to go if you just keep at it :D

[@domjanabi6006]

"no speed is too slow" *plays at 1/13140000 bpm (1 beat every 25 years)*

[@justindza]

domjanabi LOL

[@praisefreak]

😂😂😂😂

[@alimazing]

domjanabi where did you get that metronome?

[@h3arty]

You sound hella posh.

[@truthdirector8431]

hahahahahaahah

[@matthewdavies269]

This is so great - by doing the “in thirds” exercise you also learn every triad chord in the scale too!

[@agambhatti4372]

This guy sounds like a more sophisticated version of Deji

[@BoomBang101]

😂

[@phintrobopsphintrobops132]

Weirdly the most accurate statement I’ve ever heard

[@2heartio]

BRUH AHHAHAHAH

[@rayhanrafiqul4948]

Underrated comment

[@9VK7]

Wow you're actually right lol

[@TuneStunnaMusic]

I saw this video and didnt think it would help, but I clicked it anyway and I started gaining speed right away from your exercise. I subbed long ago, I should have known it would work.Your videos clicked with me long ago.

[@philanisimamane]

I liked the point on playing the scales in 3rds & 4ths. I was really stuck on muscle memory of the scales. It really forces you to think about the scales & know them.

[@playingpianowithchords1578]

I like the tips towards the end about playing patterns in 3rds! This really opens up a whole new range of musical possibilities, instead of just running up and down the scales.

[@thegiantratthatmakesalloft9415]

Name checks out

[@YungFlavo]

Thats where i got confused ?

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

I don't understand it BC I've never had official music lessons. I'm just trying to learn how to read sheet music and learn piano. I'm teaching myself through KZbin but I dint understand playing in 3rds and 4ths. But maybe that's what this book I have talks about also

[@marshwetland3808]

@@YungFlavo It's kind of like broken chords up and down the scale. So, in C, it's C E G, D F A, E G B, F A C, and then I can't remember if that's where he descended from or if he went all the way up through G B D, A C E, B D F, C E G before reversing the whole pattern on the way down. Kinda think he did the latter.

[@bron-sconcess.10]

Hi For a returner to playing, after many years I appreciate the teaching method you use. I am unfamiliar with the 3rds and 4ths practice, but am in no doubt of the benefit. Your approach makes the slog feel important. Thanks!

[@sidsimo]

I'd like to see proper finger placement on major, minor, and pentatonic/blues scales in order to drill these.

[@cryptojointer]

Please?

[@Whatamood]

ok pentatonic as well as whole tone scales are horror with fingerings.

[@satvikkhare1844]

Even I am searching for this. If you find any resources, please share with me

[@snl4742]

I agree

[@csimon4974]

Same Here

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this lesson. I'm now 66 and been playing for 6 months. But I noticed that to really be technical I made too many fingering mistakes with scales. And yes, I've slowed down more. That's a good idea with thirds, and was a bit surprised with the fourths. But it makes sense. I also think by playing thirds and then sevenths like you did with thirds is a great way to internalize the scales and chords.

[@paxwallacejazz]

Shape visualize the scale shapes that will help cement the location of half steps in a very intuitive graphic way.

[@alexarcadia7289]

I love how the 3rds and 4ths also really promote and strengthen finger independence. I do wish that you would explain something very critical which is fingering when going a double octave run or longer. Also fingering for 3rds and 4ths would be great. Love the video. As a beginner learning all the scales now(up and down) your useful suggestions came at the perfect time for me.

[@jiromarc7873]

You should have emphasized the importance of "thumb under" to make your scales smoother and more even, more so when you play the scales very fast on different keys. This is one of the fundamentals.

[@famatu]

Why is putting it under instead of above the other fingers better? I am a relatively new player, just curious

[@747maran]

@@famatu - its faster - you can have the thumb under that 4th before you lift up the 3rd versus having to move the whole hand doing above.

[@famatu]

@@747maran Thanks, that makes sense.

[@proverbalizer]

@@famatu what kind of thumb do you have that it can even reach "above" the other fingers? I don't even understand

[@Korezbot]

@@proverbalizer lmao

[@willsims2009]

Im learning this in every key. Those 4th patterns are excellent for those of us that play jazz especially!!

[@Piano_Pig]

Yes they really are!

[@bhavinipatel8078]

I was confused in finger position for both hands together.... But he has proved that I was thinking right... Just lack of confidence and practice... Thanks bro!!

[@JoeAmicoMusic]

So, when using the F major scale, how can I move up a forth? It would go F-Bb - ? The ? (When using the f scale) is not in the actual major scale.. idk I’m confused someone plz help 🙏🏽

[@xpansionteam1537]

Brilliant video as usual. You've really helped me get a foundation for learning. Thank you

[@Piano_Pig]

Happy to be able to help 😀

[@deericcio3379]

59 and just bought first (used) Yamaha oldie , e403 , arthritic fingers , but giving it a go lads !

[@1495978707]

I would add that you can practice scales in many different ways, and you should come up with whatever you need to keep it interesting. You can do varied rhythms, like dotted eighth sixteenth as an example. Using lilting rhythms like this is especially good for learning speed, because you are training yourself to be faster in smaller increments. But in general it’s most important to keep it interesting so that you want to practice scales

[@buttplug2162]

Underrated comment

[@sophiakapoor5563]

This!!!

[@disguy145]

The thumb under at the first exercise really f me up. I practiced a lot left and right hand separately that i can play really fast without even looking but when it comes to both hand, my brain just suddenly stops working...

[@jnkerpol4211]

Don't worry I had the same problem just do it frequently and then muscle memory will develop.

[@-LBG-]

Same

[@MoveOverMozart]

Your playing will become better over time. Be patient and practice little and often. 🎶🎹💙

[@haleylampley1056]

I've literally been practicing on the C scale for 3 days straight with both hands and still screw up. It's a trip, that's for sure.

[@lecy1075]

@@jnkerpol4211 ty

[@cgolden3621]

can you talk about finger position please?

[@thomaspick4123]

C Golden Yes, he needs to discuss finger cross overs.

[@sumathiwilson9650]

I think you have to work it on your own and see which is comfortable for you...

[@Deodouranth]

@@sumathiwilson9650 Probably the worst possible answer.

[@sumathiwilson9650]

@@Deodouranth unless you need to play professionally

[@sumathiwilson9650]

@@Deodouranth of you wanna play for leisure you can use whatever you are comfortable with...what do you say

[@JoshElliottMusic]

This is great! Even though I don’t want to do this I’m going to force myself to. Do you have a similar exercise for chords?

[@stardustsky685]

Set metronome to 60 bpm 1. One octave of quarter note per beat 2. Two octaves of eigth note per beat 3. Two oct. Of 16 note per beat 4. Slowly increase speed Thirds: 2:50 Fourths 3:17

[@albertoromero3431]

This is very helpful! Thank you so much!

[@Piano_Pig]

It's my pleasure! 😀

[@benedictcarter8095]

Great lesson. To the point and useful.

[@mishraaryan]

Thank you

[@alejandromedina2349]

I love your videos, thanks for sharing them :) I practice a different key major every day:scales, chords and progressions in that key. I tried to incorporate minors as well, like G major and minor in the same session. But I realized that if instead I use the relative minor, I "stay in the same keyboard" and it seems to deepen the practice. Same flats and sharps, equal or similar fingering often...but no longer I do practice G major/Gminor but instead Gmajor/E minor. Is that a good idea or should I stick with my initial approach?

[@Piano_Pig]

Your new approach is absolutely the best way to go about it. G major and G minor have pretty much nothing in common so it makes no sense to swap between these. Changing between major and the relative minor is a very sensible and systematic way to practice scales 😊

[@jzhen001]

how do u do this with scales that have minor 3rds and non even steps?

[@williamvega8652]

Can you make a video about practicing all the different keys in 3rds & 4th? I tried searching on KZbin on how to practice in 3rds but their way is so different to yours…

[@aminehmovahedmansoori8858]

Thank you for your effort. Can you kindly explain what it means when you say play it in 3rd or 4th??

[@pakkekorki4266]

Really good advice, only one thing: Going from F to B is actually a tritone. So at the fourth note in a Major Scale u have to break the pattern of perfect 4th's in order to stay in key. Greetings

[@rhysjennings6985]

Found this super helpful for my practice this evening. Going to subscribe and have a poke around other videos on your channel to see what else can help. Thanks!

[@brucermorgan]

VERY CLEAR presentation ! Thank you !

[@Piano_Pig]

My pleasure, Bruce!

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

Thank you for the tutorial. I surely hope this improves my playing as well as my thought process in how it's done.

[@haroldvondenstein]

From reading the comments I guess you can't please everyone eh!... GREAT LESSON...THANKS SO MUCH

[@Piano_Pig]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@jacksolitaire697]

Hey mate this is really cool. Short video but great exercises, cheers!

[@Piano_Pig]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏

[@thomaswilke6312]

Very nice! Thumbs up!

[@prasshanthvp1082]

Can you please explain how to practice using circle of 5th. I have never really understood the potential of circle of 5ths.

[@FilipPandrc]

That means you play C major scale, then G major, then D major, A, E, B, F#, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F and back to C.

[@ursisemler7148]

That is very helpful! Thank you!

[@williamwinkler7737]

Time is a tool you can put on the wall or wear it on your wrist

[@barbaragrossman4089]

Excellent instruction. I'm learning.

[@botamoy]

Step 1: Learn scales

[@Just_obo]

omg botamoy i love you

[@truequotetheartist]

This was helpful, thank you🙏🏼

[@alexandery8508]

Hey! Why did you play c and not c# when applying major 3rd to F? at 2:54 I get it! the first interval is major 3rd and the second interval is minor 3rd.

[@lecy1075]

1:15 im a beginner and i was so confused while practicing but i watched your fingers closey LMAOO thank you

[@sut_den624]

i recommend learning sheets as fast as possible that’s a thing i didn’t do so now im here

[@lecy1075]

@@sut_den624 TY

[@astrowave4732]

I love these lessons, they explain things so well! You are such an amazing teacher thank you so much!

[@Piano_Pig]

That's great to hear, glad you've been enjoying them 😀🙏

[@taylorbrock4635]

When doing the fourths, is there a reason why you're using right hand 2 but left hand 3 to hit the middle notes? I assume in this video it's just a comfort thing, but if there's a best practice one way or the other, I'd like to know so I don't develop any bad habits.

[@kireinapratama8555]

Thank you!! This helped a lot!!

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Maestro 🌹🌹🌹😎

[@bazleethomas4147]

Thanks bro,you just showed me how to play the beginning of the star wars song. Your awesome.👍👍👍.

[@mc7685]

Can you do a video on G scale 3rds and 4ths? C scale is pretty straight forward since there are no sharps and flats. If you do one more scale such as G or D that would tell us excatly who you recommend practicing 3rd and 4ths.

[@PianoStopcom]

I think practising with metronome is a very good tip!

[@elijahj-l825]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Mckeycee]

awesome video thank you for sharing. Subbed!

[@Piano_Pig]

No worries Michael, good to know you enjoyed it!

[@pranavjayaprakasanut]

Very informative video . Thank you

[@pranavjayaprakasanut]

Hello 🤗

[@raelynnlopez760]

when i did it slow you sounded funny biut you really helped me with scales i appreciate you

[@JuneFurlow]

This is great, thank you!

[@7onitee708]

I've been playing piano.for almost 2 years now, I've been learning myself, but I felt like an idiot until now because I had never thought about learning about this :b

[@LoomiYT]

Um

[@alexandrumodiga4488]

Hey PianoPig. Did you first practice with each hand individually then made them work together ? Or not ?

[@MoveOverMozart]

Your playing will become better over time. Be patient and practice little and often. 🎶🎹💙

[@blogleftbanker]

Thanks, you taught me something useful today.

[@Piano_Pig]

Awesome!

[@Gliitch88]

great video!

[@zaphnathdg154]

Thanks it really helpful

[@willrichards1454]

Hey Piano Pig, how would you do this exercise for ones that have the sharps because it makes it a lot trickier. Could you do a video of D for example?

[@digitalpianoschool]

Its all about the pattern of the scale. I have a video on my page that explains major vs minor in just 1 minute. D would use the same fingering as a C scale.

[@narendralalwani7035]

You are great teacher

[@sunnasunna4975]

here's a few ideas for how to learn piano Try practicing for 1 hour every day, or 30 minutes if you have a busy schedule. Do extra practice whenever you have more time. For example, on weekends you can do more than 1 hour, perhaps two or three, or even more. This is helpful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfects the pieces you play. (I read about these and more on Denelle Piano Lesson website )

[@MoveOverMozart]

Your playing will become better over time. Be patient and practice little and often. 🎶🎹💙

[@foveauxbear]

I find it interesting most piano teachers begin with C D and G major scales. I prefer to get my beginners started on D flat major (seriously) as the fingers patters are more "intuitive". Great video, though - love it.

[@zeynepy]

it helps, thanks

[@tronlady1]

Interesting. Why are the finger patterns more intuitive?

[@jonathanm.9801]

tronlady1 D flat major has 5 flats and involves all of the black keys with two white keys. it gets the fingers moving from the black keys to the white keys from the start. it’s not as confusing to a beginner as a key with only 3 or 4 flats or sharps.

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Wonderful, thank you so much!

[@haysburns8247]

Candid. Thank you.

[@samuelsebahene8152]

Biggest fan....... love your videos!

[@Piano_Pig]

Awesome, good to hear :)

[@alexarcadia7289]

Thanks!

[@dongyingxia6574]

Thank you this helped me so much

[@amitabhaelliott]

Do you have a video about the fingering for the 3rds exercise on the flats?

[@abdibashe567]

Thanks a lot I have been watching your vdios with blue scale very interesting.

[@yassinetazi8450]

Please video on why scales are important

[@atothez7868]

Interesting options. RH fingering at 2:08?

[@steveturner1815]

Nice video, very useful. Howefver, I am not sure why the second exercise is called "playing in thirds". It looks like you are playing in triads within the scale and incrementing a scale step at a time. I do like the stacked fourths exercis, that is rad. Having said that you have given me some fun things to practice. Also for real beginners the fingering needs a bit more explanation.

[@squidy2522]

great idea to move up the scale in 3rds because then you would internalize the diatonic chords of each scale if i’m correct

[@patchiath_]

I memorized major and minor scales, what should i do next?

[@kainanchen]

In the last practice, why you use your index finger on your right hand for the 4th note, but middle finger on your left hand?

[@ANHDUONG-zz8vs]

Hello. I would like to know whether I should imagine the image of the note while doing scales, I have some problems with sight-reading as I can’t stop watching my fingers to identify the position

[@bickydas4471]

Hey buddy! Do you recommend using solfege for scale practice?? I

[@eduardog8758]

What fingers you used for 3rds and 4rds???

[@Piano_Pig]

Improvise the fingering, it's part of the exercise!

[@prapprapo6570]

Thank you very much.Hope for your best

[@peameem]

But, my problem is how do you learn the fingering of different scales? I am just starting but want to learn all the scales but the fingering does not come naturally. I have been working on D major for a couple weeks, two octaves, two hands together, but it is slow going. Will repeating the scales over and over help me grasp the concept of the fingering? I am repeating every day, but wondered if there was a way to learn faster. I am getting a little bit faster and more fluent from when I started, but I just don't feel that I have the concept of how to make it my own.

[@oc1anking956]

Oh I can help u with fingerings if u want

[@Liboo52]

Thank you!

[@simretyemane11]

I thought this would not help but this helped a lot

[@A-N-D-Y-O-U]

Are you transitioning your hand placement/fingers utilized on each key in a classical manner? I would like to learn the classical way and want to verify. Thanks

[@barryaston3436]

I would like to practice scales in all 12 keys. Let's say I start with the key of C and practice the major scale, relative minor scale and blues scale. When I finish all 12 keys, I would start all over again. How long should I stay on a key before moving on to the next? Could we say that when I can play the C scales with both hands using eighth notes at 60 BPM, I can move on to the next key?

[@Piano_Pig]

I would just practice each individual scale and go through all 12 keys. Eg, major scale in all 12 keys, and then the minor scale in all 12 keys. That's better than playing 3 different scales in each key and then moving to the next key. You stay on each scale as long as you need, but I would recommend only moving on once you've played it without any mistakes.

[@barryaston3436]

Thanks !

[@labradog05]

do we keep the same finggering for practicing maj scale in 4ths in all keys?

[@danielcartwright6919]

Why don’t any of these scale instructions tell ppl how to move their fingers on the board?? This is very important!!!

[@lobso123]

Tbh it’s whatever way is easiest to play for you. The best way you can play it comfortably and effectively

[@PianoStopcom]

Oh good idea!

[@strawberryyogurt0]

@@lobso123 .... As a beginner for less than 2 weeks, what I’ve read is that comfortable isn’t the most appropriate method because it can build bad habits that are difficult to break. I can comfortably play the C major scale using just my thumbs, fore and middle finger if I wanted to, and do two cross over to finish all eight keys, but that would be detrimental in the long run. I research what the proper finger positions are and go with that.

[@jadonx]

I practiced awhile ago but used the contrary motion for the c,g,d,a,e and b. F major and the flats were all played as here. Need to start again, so wondering if I should just stick to straight same motion scales?

[@benjaminfindon5028]

Hi im new to piano I have a burning question. How can I know what scales I should learn first based off the type of music I want to make? I read somewhere that there are 48 musical scales, 12 major and 3 forms of minor natural, harmonic and melodic. Do I need to learn all of these where should i start and where do i finish?

[@sidneyramsarran4691]

I really like tour teaching its so easy to understand🥰 thanks so much i learn plenty

[@Piano_Pig]

Thanks man! I appreciate that 🙏🏻

[@friedluck]

This was quite insightfull, thanks!

[@Piano_Pig]

No worries!

[@tanyapapoutsakis5213]

Hi there, this is the easy stuff. Show us the fingers in scales with 4, 5, or 6 Flats or Sharps! Regards Tanya

[@Piano_Pig]

Hi Tanya! This lesson was just to demonstrate ways in which one could practice scales. The purpose was to show you some exercises and ideas that could then be applied to more advanced scales. I used easy scales just so the ideas were easy to grasp - didn't want to confuse people with more complicated scales.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

I applaud you for that.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Tanya Papoutsakis Once you get familiar with the scales.. You will find that they are easier to play in than c. That seems counter intuitive ..but the bumps of the black keys .. sharps and flats allow the hand to cover more territory fast. ie. I love to do f blues scale f ab bb c eb f.. I can smoke this with three fingers up and down the piano.. but the c blues c eb f gb g bb c .. more lateral movement. Also I have found that I like the actual sound of db chords. As far as db scale goes on right hand the major scale is : db eb f gb ab bb c db. 2 3 1 2 3. 4 1 2 Note these fingers may not be the ones used in practice. Often it will be determined by the chord inversion. Also as soloist you have to play the melody.. often a minimum amount of notes is called for because of singers.. saxophones trumpets lead guitars.. Often just chords and a minimum of notes, especially if there is a bass guitar. I hope this helped. I just found this site.

[@rodrickdubose659]

Tanya Papoutsakis go to harder site

[@johnhernandez8919]

Okay i love the lesson, but what i wanna know is hand technique, for instance from C to the next C octane, how should my finger glide to the next key or what finger should overlap the other to move down or up the scale. I know how to figure out key signatures but I want finger techniques that will help me glide through the scale. Can you do a video on that?

[@mrs.pulliam839]

This was helpful.

[@ReefHeater]

Awesome idea!! thanks

[@Piano_Pig]

My pleasure :)

[@alexandery8508]

why do i need to play the chords in the interval of perfect 4th? No major chords has that interval between their 3 notes.

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

SIR......THANK YOU VERY MUCH.