Discover the 7 essential major scales to play on the piano (with score and audio accompaniments)
Even if dreaded by some pianists because of their tedious nature, practising scales lays the foundations of an essential and solid technique. Scales help to develop dexterity, coordination and understanding of the different keys. We are happy to introduce a new practice method for the major scales; a must for any pianist!
Working on piano scales is essential, whether you are a beginner or an advanced player. Regular practice helps you to strengthen your finger technique, improve your hands coordination, and your sense of rhythm and flow. Scales also enable you to get acquainted with different keys, helping to make your reading speed and improvisation skills more fluid. Practising your scales cultivates discipline and focus, especially if you play them every day. You will progress much faster and will play with greater ease.
We know that scales can sound boring... but not anymore! At Tomplay we are introducing a new way to practise with TomScales. It’s an innovative and immersive way to play and remain motivated. You can now practise your scales with high-quality audio accompaniments in the music style of your choice (classical, epic, pop, jazz and many more), synchronised with sheet music notation for each scale.
TomScales offers a progressive approach, starting at the beginner level and gradually increasing in difficulty. As you progress through the very easy, easy and intermediate levels, new scales are introduced, the tempo speeds up and the scale variations become more complex.
🎹 Discover all the major piano scales with Tomplay!
1. C major scale for the piano
The C major scale is the ideal starting point for beginner pianists because it has no sharps or flats. This fundamental scale helps you to understand the basic structure of a scale and to get acquainted with your keyboard. By practising this scale on a regular basis, you’ll establish a solid technical ground, understand the intervals between the notes and develop your hand coordination, which is essential for more advanced exercises and playing!
With Tomplay’s C major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or a band. You will enjoy the high-quality audio recording synchronised with the sheet music. Choose your preferred accompaniment style (classical, pop, bossa nova or epic) and start playing your scale.You can also use the visual piano function to make sure your fingers are placed on the correct keys.
The keyboard appears at the bottom of the screen and the required notes light up: the perfect tool to help get to grips with each exercise! Mastering the key of C major will help you play many songs in this key, such as Let It Be by The Beatles or Clocks by Coldplay.
Click on the video below to discover the C major scale for piano, with different accompaniments.
▶️ Play the C major scale on the piano (score with Play Along)
2. G major scale for piano
By moving from C major to the G major scale, you will begin to broaden your musical horizons. This exercise introduces the first sharp (F#) to the key signature, allowing you to explore a new arrangement of black and white keys. As you progress through the G major scale, you’ll not only improve your finger dexterity, but you’ll also become familiar with the concept of key signatures.
With Tomplay’s G major scale, students can play accompanied by an orchestra or band, thanks to a high-quality recording synchronised with the score. Choose the accompaniment style you prefer (classical, pop, bossa nova or epic) and start playing your scale at home.
This exercise will help you master songs in G major, such as What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Click on the video below to play the G major scale exercise for piano, accompanied by an orchestra or band.
▶️ Play the G major scale on the piano (with Play Along)
3. D major scale for piano
Moving onto the D major scale will take you to a new stage in your piano progress. This scale introduces two sharps (F# and C#) to the key signature, giving you the opportunity to explore a more complex tonality. As you master the D major scale, you’ll not only develop your musicality, but you’ll also deepen your understanding of harmonic implications linked to each key.
With Tomplay’s D major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or a band, thanks to our high-quality recordings that synchronise with the sheet music. Choose from different play-along styles (classical, jazz, pop or bossa nova) and start exploring this new scale that you are adding to your practice repertoire.
This exercise will prepare you for D major pieces such as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy or The Beatles’ Hey Jude.
Click on the video below to play the D major scale exercise for piano, accompanied by an orchestra or band.
▶️ Play the key of D major on the piano (with Play Along)
4. A major scale for the piano
Introducing the A major scale takes your piano learning to a new level. This scale includes three sharps (F#, C# and G#) in the key signature.
With Tomplay’s A major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band, thanks to our high-quality recordings that synchronise with the sheet music. Choose which music style you’re in the mood to play (classical, pop, bossa nova or epic) and start practising!
This exercise helps you play pieces in the key of A major, such as Beethoven’s Für Elise or ABBA’s Dancing Queen.
Click on the video below to play the A major scale exercise for piano, accompanied by an orchestra or band.
▶️ Play the A major scale on the piano (with Play Along)
5. F major scale for the piano
By discovering the F major scale, you will continue to expand your knowledge of piano technique. This scale introduces your first flat (B♭) into the key signature! Mastering the F major scale will get you used to understanding flats and their equivalences with sharps on your keyboard. You will also learn a new finger pattern with this scale, which is different from the C, G, D and A major sequence.
With Tomplay’s F major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band, with professional-quality recordings perfectly synchronised to the score. Choose from a variety of Play Along styles (classical, jazz, rock, or bossa nova) and let our interactive score inspire your scales practice!
This scale, with its single flat key, will prepare you to play pieces in F major, such as Debussy’s Clair de Lune or Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.
Click on the video below to play the F major scale on the piano, accompanied by an orchestra or band.
▶️ Play the F major scale on the piano (with Play Along)
6. E major scale for piano
The E major scale has four sharps in the key signature (F#, C#, G# and D#). When you work on it, you add a small level of complexity to take you further in your progression. Don’t forget to play it at varying speeds to work on both your technique and your musicality.
Thanks to Tomplay’s E major scale, you can work even harder on your sense of musicality, as you can choose to play along with jazz, classical or epic-style play-alongs recorded by professional musicians.
This exercise will familiarise you with pieces in E major, such as Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 and Eric Clapton’s Layla.
Watch the video below to learn how to play the E major scale on the piano, accompanied by an orchestra or band.
▶️ Practise the E major scale on the piano (with Play Along)
7. B flat major scale for piano
Learning the B flat major scale marks a new turning point in your piano playing. With two flats in the scalic pattern (B♭ and E♭), this scale invites you to a new exploration of the rich, warm sounds that these notes bring, along with yet another new fingering sequence to master.
Tomplay’s B flat major scale lets you immerse yourself fully in the music, with an orchestral or band accompaniment, carefully recorded for perfect synchronisation with your playing. Explore different Play Along moods and discover new ways to make these exercises full of vitality!
This practice will prepare you to perform famous works in B flat major, such as Chopin’s Prelude No. 21 in B flat major or Erroll Garner’s Misty.
Watch the video below and play the B flat major scale on the piano, accompanied by an orchestra or musical ensemble.
▶️ Discover the key of B flat major on the piano (with Play Along)
As you learn to play the piano, mastering the different scales is essential. These seven scales (in the keys of C major, G major, F major, D major, A major, E major and B flat major) form the basis of a solid piano technique. Each scale offers unique challenges, such as different fingering sequences or different key signatures, which will help you to improve your agility and precision. By focusing on these exercises, you’ll be better prepared to play more advanced pieces and build your confidence. Discover all the major piano scales available in the Tomplay Shop. Now it’s your turn to play!
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