By mastering scales, you can better understand sheet music and also improve your improvisation and composition skills.
In this article, we present a list of all piano key scales along with beginner-friendly practice methods.
All Key Scales List (Exercises: Full Piano Scales)
Piano scales are based on all 12 keys.
By practicing each scale, you’ll find it easier to play smoothly in any key.
C Major / A Minor
(C Major Scale / A Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
F Major / D Minor
(F Major Scale / D Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Bb Major / G Minor
(Bb Major Scale / G Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Eb Major / C Minor
(Eb Major Scale / C Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Ab Major / F Minor
(Ab Major Scale / F Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Db Major / Bb Minor
(Db Major Scale / Bb Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Gb Major / Eb Minor
(Gb Major Scale / Eb Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
B Major / G# Minor
(B Major Scale / G# Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
E Major / C# Minor
(E Major Scale / C# Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
A Major / F# Minor
(A Major Scale / F# Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
D Major / B Minor
(D Major Scale / B Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
G Major / E Minor
(G Major Scale / E Minor Scale)
Scale Exercise
Major Scales List
| Key | Sharps/Flats | Scale (English Notation) | Scale (Do-Re-Mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Major | None | C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C | Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do |
| F Major | 1 Flat | F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F | Fa, So, La, Ti♭, Do, Re, Mi, Fa |
| Bb Major | 2 Flats | Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb | Ti♭, Do, Re, Mi♭, Fa, So, La, Ti♭ |
| Eb Major | 3 Flats | Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb | Mi♭, Fa, So, La♭, Ti♭, Do, Re, Mi♭ |
| Ab Major | 4 Flats | Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab | La♭, Ti♭, Do, Re♭, Mi♭, Fa, So, La♭ |
| Db Major | 5 Flats | Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db | Re♭, Mi♭, Fa, So♭, La♭, Ti♭, Do, Re♭ |
| Gb Major | 6 Flats | Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb | So♭, La♭, Ti♭, Do♭, Re♭, Mi♭, Fa, So♭ |
| B Major | 5 Sharps | B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B | Ti, Do#, Re#, Mi, Fa#, So#, La#, Ti |
| E Major | 4 Sharps | E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E | Mi, Fa#, So#, La, Ti, Do#, Re#, Mi |
| A Major | 3 Sharps | A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A | La, Ti, Do#, Re, Mi, Fa#, So#, La |
| D Major | 2 Sharps | D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D | Re, Mi, Fa#, So, La, Ti, Do#, Re |
| G Major | 1 Sharp | G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G | So, La, Ti, Do, Re, Mi, Fa#, So |
Minor Scales List
| Key | Sharps/Flats | Scale (English Notation) | Scale (Do-Re-Mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Minor | None | A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A | La, Ti, Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La |
| D Minor | 1 Flat | D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D | Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti♭, Do, Re |
| G Minor | 2 Flats | G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G | So, La, Ti♭, Do, Re, Mi♭, Fa, So |
| C Minor | 3 Flats | C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C | Do, Re, Mi♭, Fa, So, La♭, Ti♭, Do |
| F Minor | 4 Flats | F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F | Fa, So, La♭, Ti♭, Do, Re♭, Mi♭, Fa |
| Bb Minor | 5 Flats | Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb | Ti♭, Do, Re♭, Mi♭, Fa, So♭, La♭, Ti♭ |
| Eb Minor | 6 Flats | Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb | Mi♭, Fa, So♭, La♭, Ti♭, Do♭, Re♭, Mi♭ |
| B Minor | 5 Sharps | B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, B | Ti, Do#, Re#, Mi, Fa#, So, La, Ti |
| E Minor | 4 Sharps | E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E | Mi, Fa#, So, La, Ti, Do, Re, Mi |
| A Minor | 3 Sharps | A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A | La, Ti, Do#, Re, Mi, Fa#, So, La |
| D Minor | 2 Sharps | D, E, F#, G, A, B, C, D | Re, Mi, Fa#, So, La, Ti, Do, Re |
| G Minor | 1 Sharp | G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G | So, La, Ti, Do, Re, Mi, Fa#, So |
What Exactly is a “Scale”?
A scale is a specific sequence of notes used in music. On the piano, practicing scales helps improve fingering, ear training, and understanding of pieces.
- Major Scale: A bright and lively sounding scale.
- Minor Scale: A more emotional and melancholic sounding scale.
In Japanese, the word “音階 (onkai)” is often used similarly to “scale,” but the nuance is slightly different in a strict sense.
Circle of Fifths
The Circle of Fifths is a circular chart in music theory that visually shows the relationship between keys. Moving clockwise adds sharps (G, D, A…), while moving counterclockwise adds flats (F, Bb, Eb…).
Inside each major key is its relative minor (e.g., C Major and A Minor). This chart makes it easy to understand related keys and modulations at a glance.
Reference: What is the Circle of Fifths? A Basic Guide to Music Theory for Beginners
Benefits of Practicing Scales
- Smoother finger technique
Repeated scale practice helps improve efficiency of hand movements on the keyboard. - Useful for improvisation
Knowing scales makes it easier to improvise in any key. - Better understanding of sheet music
Helps you grasp tonality and understand the structure of pieces.
Practice Methods for Beginners
- Hanon scale exercises
Use Hanon’s method book to learn basic fingering.
(The practice videos on this page are excerpts from Hanon.) - Practice with one hand at a time
Start with one hand, then gradually practice with both hands. - Use a metronome
Keep the tempo steady and develop accurate rhythm.
Summary
Understanding and practicing all key scales is a fundamental step for improving piano performance.
Use the scale lists and practice methods introduced in this article to aim for smooth playing in any scale!