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Major & Minor Scales

All 12 major and 12 minor scales for piano — written in easy alphabet letters.

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What is a Scale?

A scale is a set of notes played in order, going up or down. Scales are the foundation of melody and improvisation. The major scale sounds bright and happy; the minor scale sounds darker and sadder. Practice each one slowly with the right hand first, then both hands together.

Major Scales

The major scale follows the pattern: Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half. Below are all 12 major scales written in letter notes. Read left to right, then back down the same notes in reverse.

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

Minor Scales

The natural minor scale follows the pattern: Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole. These scales have a sadder, more emotional feel — perfect for ballads and film music.

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

Practice Tips

Start with C Major (all white keys) and A Minor (also all white keys) — they're the easiest to memorize. Once you know those, move outward to scales with one sharp / flat, then two, and so on.

Practice slowly with a metronome. Speed comes naturally once the fingers know where to go. Aim for clean, even tone over speed.

← Previous: Lesson 1 Introduction Next: Lesson 3 → Major & Minor Chords