ESCALAS EN EL PIANO (http://www.pianoscales.

org/)

Major Scales overview

C: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# / Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db
D: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
D#/Eb: D#, E#, F##, G#, A#, B#, C##, D# / D#, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb
E: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E
F: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F# / Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb
G: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F##, G# / Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab
A: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A
A#/Bb: A#, B#, C##, D#, E#, F##, G##, A# / Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
B: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B

Minor Scales overview

A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

1. Escala Menor Natural o Elica.

Las Escalas Menores Naturales correspondientes al modo Elico siguen el siguiente patrn.

0-1-1/2-1-1-1/2-1-1

Si quieres llegar a ser un buen pianista comienza con memorizar las escalas, comienza con las
naturales y luego con las sostenidas y bemoles.

Nota:

Las escalas menores naturales tienen las mismas notas que la escala
de su relativo mayor (tono y medio arriba)

Pentatonic Blues Scales overview

C: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
D: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#
E: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E
F: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#
G: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#
A: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#
B: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Pentatonic Major Blues Scales overview

C: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#
D: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#
E: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E
F: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#
G: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#
A: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#
B: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Piano Major Scales

Piano Major Scales is the most important scales: firstly because they are very common
and, secondly, because they are fundamental to your understanding of keys. If you
hear someone mention that a piano sonata by the composer and pianist Franz Shubert
is played in A Major this means that it depends on the A scale. It is also common that
piano pieces are named like A Minor this accordingly refers to a minor scale.

Here we will focus on major scales. You can scroll down and see illustrations of all major scales,
further down you will see an overview with all the notes and the intervals, semi-tones and finally
the formula of the major scale. This theory helps you learn the concepts and memorizing it
easier. See also major scales exercises.

REGLA GENERAL PARA ENCONTRA ESCALAS MAYORES

T
T
ST
T
Lo mismo en semitonos

ST

Ejemplo: Escala Mayor de RE

D

D
#

D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D

F
#

G
#

A
#

C
#

REGLA GENERAL PARA ENCONTRA ESCALAS MENORES

ESCALA MENOR NATURAL (O PURA)

Regla General

ST

ST

En semitonos

Ejemplo: Escala menor natural de RE

D#

F#

G#

Bb

C
#

ESCALA MENOR ARMONICA

Escala menor armnica

La escala menor armnica es una escala musical occidental utilizada en el contexto de
la msica tonal. La escala menor armnica consiste en una alteracin del Modo elicotambin
llamada escala menor natural. Para generar un acorde dominante construido a partir del
quinto grado de la escala (necesario en el sistema tonal), se altera el sptimo grado de la
escala subindolo medio tono, logrando as una escala menor armnica. Por eso el nombre de
escala es menor armnica, porque su creacin fue por razones armnicas. Esta escala tiene
alterado ascendentemente el VII grado a fin de que haya sensible, por tanto, los semitonos
son entre II y III grado, V y VI, VII y VIII, y por la alteracin del VII grado se produce una
segunda aumentada.(1 1/2)tono entre VI y VII grado. Partiendo desde La, la escala
corresponde a La, Si, Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol#, y La, ya que utiliza la siguiente
secuencia intervlica: tono-semitono-tono-tono-semitono-tono y medio-semitono.
La escala menor armnica, la cual se construye elevando la sptima nota de una escala
menor natural un semitono:
A B C D E F G# A
B C# D E F# G A# B
C D Eb F G Ab B C
D E F G A Bb C# D
E F# G A B C D# E
F G Ab Bb C Db E F
G A Bb C D Eb F# G
tono semitono tono tono semitono tono y medio semitono

Regla General
T
ST
T

ST

1 T ST

En semitonos

Ejemplo: Escala menor armnica de DO

C#
C

D
#
D

Db

F#
E

Eb

G#
G

Gb

A
#
A

Ab

B
#
C

Bb

C D Eb F G Ab B C

Ejemplo: Escala menor armnica de RE

D#
D
Eb

F#
E F
Fb

G#
G

Gb

A#
A

Ab

Bb

B
#
B C

C
#
D
Db

ESCALA MENOR MELDICA

La escala menor meldica es una escala musical occidental utilizada en el contexto de la
msica tonal. La escala menor meldica tiene la particularidad de que cuando se interpreta
con movimiento ascendente sus grados VI y VII ascienden un semitono respecto de la escala
menor natural, pero cuando el movimiento es descendente se tocan sin alteraciones, es
decir, en el modo menor natural.
Partiendo desde La menor relativo de Do mayor, la escala corresponde a La, Si, Do, Re, Mi,
Fa#, Sol# y La, ya que utiliza la siguiente secuencia intervlica: tono-semitono-tono-tono-tonotono-semitono.
Es una escala derivada del Modo elico para ser utilizada dentro del sistema tonal. Para
generar un acorde dominante en el quinto grado de la escala (necesario en el sistema tonal),
se altera el sptimo grado de la escala subindolo medio tono, logrando as una escala menor
armnica, sin embargo debido a la dificultad de cantar el intervalo desegunda
aumentada entre el sexto y sptimo grado de la escala (entre Fa y Sol# en tonalidad
de la menor), se altera tambin el sexto grado medio tono arriba, para generar solamente
intervalos de segundas mayores y menores en la escala. Por eso el nombre de escala es
menor meldica, porque su creacin fue por razones meldicas.

Menor meldica: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Do menor meldica: C D Eb F G A B C

Regla General

ST

ST

En semitonos

Ejemplo: Escala menor meldica de RE

D#
D
Eb

F#
E F
Fb

G#
G

Gb

A#
A

Ab

Bb

C
#
B
C
b

D
Db

Ejemplo: MI menor meldica

Partimos de Mi mayor:
Mi mayor: E F# G# A B C# D# E

OJO: Bajamos un semitono el tercer grado, dejando los restantes

como estn:
Mi menor meldica: E F# G A B C# D# E

ESCALAS MAYORES
C Major

Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D Major

Notes:

D,

Fingerings

E,

(LH):

F#,
5,

4,

G,
3,

A,
2,

B,
1,

C#,
3,

2,

D
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

E Major

Notes:
Fingerings

E,

F#,
(LH):

G#,
5,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4,

A,
3,

B,
2,

C#,
1,

D#,
3,

2,

E
1

F Major

Notes:

F,

Fingerings

G,
(LH):

A,
5,

4,

Bb,
3,

C,
2,

D,
1,

E,
3,

2,

F
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

G Major

Notes:

G,

Fingerings

A,

(LH):

B,
5,

4,

C,
3,

D,
2,

E,
1,

F#,
3,

2,

G
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A Major

Notes:
Fingerings

A,

B,
(LH):

C#,
5,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4,

D,
3,

E,
2,

F#,
1,

G#,
3,

2,

A
1

B Major

Notes:
Fingerings

B,

C#,
(LH):

4,

D#,

E,

3,

2,

F#,
1,

G#,
4,

A#,
3,

2,

B
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db Major

Notes:
Fingerings

Db,

Eb,

(LH):

F,
3,

2,

Gb,
1,

Ab,
4,

Bb,
3,

C,
2,

Db
1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2

D# / Eb Major

Notes:
Fingerings

Eb,

F,

(LH):

G,
3,

2,

Ab,
1,

Bb,
4,

C,
3,

D,
2,

Eb
1,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

F# /Gb Major

Notes:

F#,

G#,

A#,

B,

C#,

D#,

F,

F#

Fingerings

(LH):

4,

3,

2,

1,

3,

2,

1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

G# / Ab Major

Notes:
Fingerings

Ab,

Bb,

(LH):

3,

C,
2,

Db,
1,

Eb,
4,

F,
3,

G,
2,

Ab
1,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

A# / Bb Major

Notes:
Fingerings

Bb,

C,

(LH):

D,
3,

2,

Eb,
1,

F,
4,

G,
3,

A,
2,

Fingerings (RH): 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

Major Scales overview

C: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# / Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db
D: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
D#/Eb: D#, E#, F##, G#, A#, B#, C##, D# / D#, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb
E: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E
F: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F# / Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb
G: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F##, G# / Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab
A: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A
A#/Bb: A#, B#, C##, D#, E#, F##, G##, A# / Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
B: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B

Bb
1,

Fingerings: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little

finger.
LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, 3
Semi-notes: 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1
Formula: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half

Another good thing to know about is the intervals and steps. This is always the same
about all the scales in a category, therefore this helps you a lot until you have
memorizing all the scales and also the opposite way: you dont need to memorize
everyone if you know the intervals. The nature of the intervals label the major scale to
a diatonic scale.

Understand the notation

Some of the scales have two names divided by a slash (e.g. C# and Db), because they can be
played in two different keys. The notes are however the same on the keyboard. For example are
C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# and Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db (as in C# / Db) the same notes
but partly written different. In some cases there are double-sharps (e.g. F##) that could look
peculiar, see theory for an explanation. Also, the notes in the diagrams and the overview
sometimes differ. The reason behind is that the notes under the diagram are foremost thought to
be easy to understand.

Scales and chords

As soon as you know a certain major scale you also know the chords in the same key. That is
because you can randomly choose three different notes from a scale and you will get a triad
(learn more about chords). For example: in the key of C the standard chords being used are:

C Major (notes: C - E - G)

D Minor (notes: D - F - A)

E Minor (notes: E - G - B)

F Major (notes: F - A - C)

G Major (notes: G - B - D)

A Minor (notes: A - C - E)

B Diminished (notes: B - D - F)

An easy way to start improvising on the piano is to play major scales together with the chords
that use the same notes. To explain further: you can for example play chords like C, Em, F, G
together with the C major scale. Preferable you play the chords with your left hand and notes
from

the

scale

with

your

right

(more

on

improvisation).

Another interesting thing is that different major scales have their own "sounds". For example C
is suitable for ballads and Eb will sound a bit like Bach.

Piano Minor Scales

Contrary to the major scale there are not one but three minor scales and we shall look
at each. The three groups of minor scales are:

The natural minor (see below)

The melodic

The harmonic

The natural minor scale is often referred to as the minor scale. This scale can sometimes confuse
people because it is in a way identical to the major scale. The A minor scales includes exactly the
same notes as the C major scale which makes them relative keys (read more about this further
down the page).
Here are pictures and notes of scales.

A Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

A,

B,

(LH):

C,
5,

4,

D,
3,

E,
2,

F,
1,

G,
3,

2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A# / Bb Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

A#,
(LH):

C,

C#,
2,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

B Minor

1,

D#,
3,

F,
2,

F#,
1,

G#,
4,

A#
3,

Notes:

B,

Fingerings

C#,
(LH):

D,
4,

3,

E,
2,

F#,
1,

G,
4,

A,
3,

2,

B
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

C,

D,
(LH):

Eb,
5,

F,

4,

3,

E,

F#,

2,

1,

G,
2,

Ab,
1,

Bb,
3,

2,

C
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

C#,

D#,

(LH):

3,

G#,
4,

A,
3,

B,

C#

2,

1,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

D,
(LH):

E,

F,
5,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4,

G,
3,

A,
2,

Bb,
1,

C,
3,

2,

D
1

D# / Eb Minor

Notes:

D#,

Fingerings

F,

(LH):

F#,
2,

1,

G#,
4,

A#,
3,

B,
2,

C#,
1,

D#
3,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

E Minor

Notes:

E,

Fingerings

F#,

(LH):

G,

5,

4,

A,
3,

B,
2,

C,
1,

D,
3,

2,

E
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

F,

G,
(LH):

Ab,
5,

4,

Bb,
3,

C,
2,

Db,
1,

Eb,
3,

2,

F
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

F# / Gb Minor

Notes:

F#,

G#,

A,

B,

C#,

D,

E,

F#

Fingerings

(LH):

4,

3,

2,

1,

3,

2,

1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

G,
(LH):

A,

Bb,
5,

4,

C,
3,

D,
2,

Eb,
1,

F,
3,

2,

G
1

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

G# /Ab Minor

Notes:
Fingerings

G#,
(LH):

A#,
3,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

B,
2,

C#,
1,

D#,
3,

E,
2,

F#,
1,

G#
3,

Minor Scales overview

A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

Fingerings: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little

finger.
LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2
Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole

Relative keys - major and minor

Relative keys have, as told above, the same notes and it can be found for all major and natural
minor scales. G major is relative with E minor, F major is relative to D minor; see all relative
keys below:

Cb - Abm

Gb - Ebm

Db - Bbm

Ab - Fm

Eb - Cm

Bb - Gm

F - Dm

C - Am

G - Em

D - Bm

A - F#m

E - C#m

B - G#m

F# - D#m

C# - A#m

You don't need to memorize all relative keys, if you want to know the relative minor just go to
the

sixth

degree

in

the

major

scale.

Although the notes are the same there is a difference between two relative keys: the tonic (first
tone in the scale) is not the same and this leads to different sounds. If you play in the A minor
you will get a more gloomy and kind of melancholy sound comparing to C major.

Blues Scales for Piano

Adding a blue note to the regular Pentatonic scale gives the Pentatonic Blues Scale.
These scales are for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the piano. The
"Major Blues Scale" is some less common than the "Minor Blues Scale" and, therefore,
we

start

with

minor

and

you

find

the

major

by

scrolling

down.

The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music, so there is no satisfying explanation

in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it sounds
when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!

Minor Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic blues scales. See also Major Blues Scales.

C Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#

D Pentatonic Blues

Notes: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#

E Pentatonic Blues

Notes: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E

F Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#

G Pentatonic Blues

Notes: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Blues

Notes: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#

A Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#

B Pentatonic Blues

Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B
Pentatonic Blues Scales overview
C: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
D: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#
E: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E
F: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#
G: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#
A: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#
B: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7

Semi-notes: 3 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2
Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole

Theory and tips for improvisation

The pentatonic blues scale is built upon three dominant chords. For example in the case of C
pentatonic the three chords are C7 F7 G7. We can see the relationship when comparing the
notes in the scale:

C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

with the notes in the three chords:

There

(C7) C, E, G, Bb (F7) F A C Eb (G7) G B D F

is

close

correlation

as

you

can

see.

So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales? By learning these scales you
will get great tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales are also
used in jazz improvisation). A tip is to use the left hand for a chord and play the notes
of the scale with the right. You can then combine a C blues scale with C7, F7 and G7
chords. In the same way you can combine a G blues scale with the chords G7, C7 and
D7

and

so

on

in

different keys.

You can also improvise blues in minor. A nice combination are the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7
together with the A pentatonic blues scale. Further reading: 12-bar blues.

Major Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic blues scales.

C Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#

D Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#

E Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E

F Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#

G Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#

A Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#

B Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Pentatonic Major Blues Scales overview
C: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#
D: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#
E: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E
F: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#
G: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#
A: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#
B: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, b3, 3, 5, 6
Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2 - 3
Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half

Jazz scales and improvisation

There isnt a single group of scales that can be called jazz scales a jazz pianist uses
lots of different scales. But still there are typical scales used in jazz and here is an
overview.

This guide will include The Modal Scales, Jazz Minor Scales and Bebop Scales.

The Modal Scales

The modal scales (often referred to as just modes) were once discovered in ancient Greek. In
modern days the modal scales are frequently used in jazz improvisation. Are you interested in
playing

jazz,

the

modal

scales

are

of

great

importance.

Here are the modal scales in the standard order:

Ionian

Dorian

Phrygian

Lydian

Mixolydian

Aeolian

Locrian

In theory the modal scales are more like keys or modus (interval in Latin), but we will use
either "scales" or "modes" as terms. The modal scales will probably feel kind of complicated in
the beginning since they are not like other typical scales. But the thing is: they are really just
variations of major scales. So, if you know the major scales you have an easy job to memorize
the

modal

scale.

For example, if we take the C major scale and play this in the Dorian mode, what
happens is that the notes remain the same, but the starting point is altered. So C - D E - F - G - A - B can change to D - E - F - G - A - B - C and become Dorian.

Lets look at a complete overview of the modus of C major:

Ionian: The

tonic

Dorian: The

tonic

Phrygian: The

tonic

change

tonic
change

Locrian: The

to

change
A

(this

is

tonic

identical

C.

to

change

tonic

Mixolydian: The

still

change

tonic

Lydian: The

Aeolian: The

is

D.

to

E.

to

F.

to
with

the

change

A
to

G.
minor

scale).
B.

What is all this good for you may ask? Why don't stick to the regular major scales? It is true that
the notes are the same in modes as in major scales, but not the order and that makes a big
difference. It is the changed order that give them a unique sound quality that is caused by a
different

root

note.

So how can we use the modes? The modes become useful then you for example are
playing a scale over a chord and don't want the regular major sound. In many music
styles it will not always sound good using major scales over chords. You may instead
use the Dorian mode and suddenly you have a different sound. Some modes (Ionian,
Lydian and Mixolydian) will sound good with major chords and some (Dorian,
Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian) will sound good with minor chords.

Jazz Minor Scales

The Jazz Minor Scale is a melodic minor scale, but without any change of notes when
descending, see Melodic Minor. The Jazz Minor is often used as a replacement for other minor
scales

in

jazz.

Above is an illustration of this scale in Cm. The next step is to use these notes in different modes
according to this:

C Melodic Minor - C D Eb F G A B

Dorian Mode - D Eb F G A B C D

Lydian Mode - Eb F G A B C D Eb

Mixolydian Mode - F G A B C D Eb F

Dominant Mode - G A B C D Eb F G

Locrian - A B C D Eb F G A

Altered Mode - B C D Eb F G A B

Other useful scales

Bebop

Scales

click

the

link

for

description

and

diagrams

of

these

scales.

Nine Tone Scales click the link for description and diagrams of these scales.

Piano Pentatonic Scales

The pentatonic scale is frequently used in lots of popular music styles. There is both
pentatonic major and minor in this case the minor is more used. Note that C minor
pentatonic has identical notes as Eb major pentatonic but in another order, D minor
pentatonic has the same notes as F major pentatonic and so on. Knowing this will
make it easier for you to memorize.

Minor Pentatonic Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic scales. These scales are very common in
many styles but not at least in pop and rock music. See also Major Pentatonic Scales.

Cm

Notes:

C,

Eb,

F,

G,

Bb,

Fingerings

(LH):

1,

3,

2,

1,

2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

C#m / Dbm

Notes:
Fingerings

C#,
(LH):

E,
2,

F#,
1,

G#,
3,

B,
2,

C#
1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Dm

Notes:
Fingerings

D,
(LH):

F,
3,

G,
2,

A,
1,

C,
3,

D
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D#m / Ebm

Notes:
Fingerings

D#,
(LH):

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Em

F#,
3,

G#,
2,

A#,
1,

C#,
3,

D#
2,

Notes:

E,

Fingerings

(LH):

G,
3,

A,
2,

B,
1,

D,
3,

E
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Fm

Notes:
Fingerings

F,
(LH):

Ab,
4,

Bb,
3,

C,
2,

Eb,
1,

F
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

F#m / Gbm

Notes:
Fingerings

F#,
(LH):

A,
3,

B,
2,

C#,
1,

E,
2,

F#
1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Gm

Notes:
Fingerings

G,
(LH):

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1

Bb,
1,

C,
3,

D,
2,

F,
1,

G
2,

G#m / Abm

Notes:
Fingerings

G#,
(LH):

B,
2,

C#,
1,

D#,
5,

F#,
4,

G#
3,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Am

Notes:
Fingerings

A,
(LH):

C,
3,

D,
2,

E,
1,

G,
3,

A
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

A#m / Bbm

Notes:
Fingerings

A#,
(LH):

C#,
4,

D#,
3,

E#,
2,

G#,
1,

A#
4,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

Bm

Notes:

B,

D,

E,

F#,

A,

Fingerings

(LH):

3,

2,

1,

3,

2,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2
Pentatonic
C: C,

Minor
Eb,

F,

C#/Db: C#,
D: D,

Scales
G,

E,

F#,

F,

G#,

G,

D#/Eb: D#,

overview

A,

F#,

G#,

Bb,

B,

C#

C,

A#,

C#,

D#

E: E,

G,

A,

B,

D,

F: F,

Ab,

Bb,

C,

Eb,

C#,

E,

F#

D,

F,

F#/Gb: F#,
G: G,

A,
Bb,

C,

G#/Ab: G#,
A: A,

B,

B,

C#,

C,

A#/Bb: A#,

D#,

D,
C#,

F#,

E,
D#,

G#

G,

E#,

G#,

A#

4,

5,

b7

B: B, D, E, F#, A, B
Interval:
Semi-notes:

1,
3

b3,
-

Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole

Major Pentatonic Scales

This five-note scale is similar to the major scale but with the 4th and 7th degrees removed.
Major pentatonic scales are especially common in traditional folk music, county and gospel. Here
are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic scales.

Notes:
Fingerings

C,
(LH):

D,
3,

E,
2,

G,
1,

A,
2,

C
1,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

C# / Db

Notes:
Fingerings

C#,
(LH):

D#,
3,

F,
2,

G#,
1,

A#,
4,

C#
3,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

Notes:
Fingerings

D,
(LH):

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

D# / Eb

E,
2,

F#,
1,

A,
3,

B,
2,

D
1,

Notes:
Fingerings

D#,
(LH):

F,
3,

G,
2,

A#,
1,

C,
2,

D#
1,

Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Notes:
Fingerings

E,
(LH):

F#,
4,

G#,
3,

B,
2,

C#,
1,

E
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Notes:
Fingerings

F,
(LH):

G,
3,

A,
2,

C,
1,

D,
2,

F
1,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

F# / Gb

Notes:
Fingerings

F#,
(LH):

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G#,
3,

A#,
2,

C#,
1,

D#,
3,

F#
2,

Notes:
Fingerings

G,
(LH):

A,
3,

B,
2,

D,
1,

E,
2,

G
1,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

G# / Ab

Notes:
Fingerings

G#,
(LH):

Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3

A#,
3,

C,
2,

D#,
1,

F,
2,

G#
1,

Notes:
Fingerings

A,

B,

(LH):

C#,

2,

E,

1,

2,

F#,
1,

A
3,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1

A# / Bb

Notes:
Fingerings

A#,

C,

(LH):

D,

3,

F,

2,

1,

G,
2,

A#
1,

Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3

Notes:
Fingerings

B,

C#,

(LH):

D#,

1,

5,

F#,
4,

3,

G#,B
2,

Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
Pentatonic
C: C,

Major
D,

C#/Db: C#,
D: D,

Scales
E,

G,

D#,
E,

D#/Eb: D#,

F,
F#,

F,

G,

G#,

overview
A,
A#,

A,

B,

A#,

C,

C
C#
D
D#

E: E,

F#,

G#,

B,

C#,

F: F,

G,

A,

C,

D,

F#/Gb: F#,

G#,

A#,

C#,

D#,

F#

G: G,

A,

B,

G#/Ab: G#,
A: A,

D,

A#,
B,

C,

D#,

C#,

A#/Bb: A#,

C,

E,
F,

G#

F#,

F,

G,

A#

3,

5,

E,
D,

B: B, C#, D#, F#, G#,B

Interval:
Semi-notes:

1,
2

2,
-

Formula: Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half

Improvising with the Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic Scale is a flexible scale for improvising and apart from the standard way, which is
combining a scale with chords in the same key, you could also be outside the key. By "being
outside the key" means that you dont necessary must played chords and scale that belongs to
the same key. For example, you could play G Major Pentatonic over a C Major chord or E Minor
Pentatonic over a A Minor chord.

Piano scales chart

Here you see a overview of some of the most common scales:
Major scales with relative minor
Pentatonic scales major & minor
Major

Relative Minor

Am

C#

Bbm

Bm

D#

Cm

C#m

Dm

F#

Ebm

Em

G#

Fm

F#m

A#

Gm

Abm

More scales are shown in the chart below...

Pentatonic Major

Pentatonic Minor

Am

C#

Bbm

Bm

D#

Cm

C#m

Dm

F#

Ebm

Em

G#

Fm

F#m

A#

Gm

Abm