Group 2: 3 Black Keys and 2 Black Keys
This group includes three major scales, all of which include all the black keys: groups of 3 black keys and groups of 2 black keys.
Based on what you know so far, can you name what these three scales are?
Click here for a hint.
Two of the scales START on a black note. One scale starts on a white note.
Two find these scales, try this process:
- Pick a note
- Play the 5-note scale (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol)
- Play 1-4-5-THE-END (Do-Fa-Sol, Ti-Do)
- Play “Twinkle” (Do-Sol-La-Sol)
- Play the whole scale with one finger, moving up the keyboard: “Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol, Twinkle, THE-END”
- Did this scale have all the black keys — group of 3, and group of 2
Click here to see you if you got the right answer!
The scales are B, Gb (also called F#), and Db (also called C#).
The Easiest Scales
The pattern for these three scales is easier than the C Major is a Queen pattern. The black keys will show you the way!
Hold up three fingers: pointer, middle, and ring. These three long fingers will play the groups of 3 black keys. Try it — play all over the keyboard, going up the 3 black key group and going down.
Now hold up two fingers: pointer and middle. These two long fingers will play the groups of 2 black keys. Again, try it — play all over the keyboard, going up the 2 black key group and down.
This brings us to our last step: Thumb plays the white keys. (There’s one exception to this. Can you figure out what it is?)
Now try it out. Play three black keys, pick a white note for your thumb, then two black keys, pick a white for your thumb … and continue up the keyboard.
Put it all together
Now, how to practice?
- First, play groups of 3 black keys and 2 black keys, with 3 long fingers and 2 long fingers, all up and down the keyboard. Be sure to use good form, and enjoy the sound!
- Second review the notes of the scale:
- Play the 5 note scale.
- Play “Twinkle Little Star.”
- Play “1-4-5-THE-END.”
- Play “1-5-TWINKLE-THE-END.”
- Play the full scale with a single finger, singing “1-2-3-4-5, Twinkle, The End.” Notice the two white notes in the scale. Your THUMB will play these notes.
If you’d like a refresher on working through this scale prep, click here (link coming soon).
- Third, play the scale!
