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A scale consists of eight tones that are spread equally between one key and the key that is exactly one octave above it.  Scales can be in many different types.  They are all considered to be either major or minor scales.  The happier scales are considered to be the major scales.  The dark or deep sounding scales are known as the minor scales.

If you spend a part of your practice time playing scales, you build muscle memory in your hands. This means that, after much time practicing, your hands go more easily to notes in the scale you are playing at any given time. You only have to see the piano sheet music or think of the melody and your hands know what to do.

Anytime you mention scales you will most certainly also mention keys.  When a pianist hears the word keys, they think of either the ivory or wood keys on the keyboard or quite possibly the keys that a melody or scale is being played in.

Have you ever been to a lounge where a singer is giving an impromptu performance? She might lean down to the pianist and say something like, “In the key of C.” That tells the pianist where on the keyboard to begin. It also tells the pianist what physical keys to start with and what chords to use. The key of a piece of music is very important.

As you begin to learn the scales, you can learn them without all of the key signatures.  (This is the notation of the keys that are written and could be the key of G or the key of C).  Playing the C scale is a great place to start.  Using only the white keys you can play the major C scale.  Simply place your right hand on the keys in the home position.  Keep the numbering of your fingers in mind and that your thumbs will always the number one.

Begin playing following the 1-2-3 pattern.  Once you have completed this pattern you have keyed the notes C, D, and E on the piano.  When you get to your ring finger in the count, place your thumb on the F key by sliding it under the other fingers.  Once your thumb is there, reposition your other fingers in order and begin the sequence again.  You will be playing 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, or C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.  You have done it.  Your first scale has been played.  Be sure to take some time to practice what you have learned.

If you would like to learn to play the C scale using your left hand, begin by placing your little finger directly on the C that is below the middle C.  Place your other fingers in order from one to five traveling up the keyboard.  Push the keys in order, 5-4-3-2-1.  As you get to one, pull your middle finger over your pointer finger and put it on the next available key.  Begin again by playing 3-2-1 from that position on the keyboard.  When you are finished you have played C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C or 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.

Combining the functions of both hands at the same time is the next step once you have spent some time practicing with each individual hand.  You will be playing the C below middle C using your pinkie on your left hand just as you are using your right hand thumb to play the middle C.  Travel up the scale using both hands.  The task may seem a little challenging until you have gotten over having to maneuver one hand over and the other under to finish the scale.  After you practice you will find that it comes much easier.

After you have mastered this scale you will find that it is much easier to grasp the other major scales.  Be sure to concentrate on the order of the half steps and the whole steps that occur in a major scale.  If you are following the right order up the major scale you will be playing like this:  starting note-step-step-half step-step-step-step-half step.  Keep in mind as you follow these steps that there are no black keys found in between the B and C and the E and F so they are considered to be half steps.

You can play a scale anywhere on the piano. Just pick a note to start on. It does not matter whether it is a white key or a black key. Use the given sequence of steps and half steps to go from there up an eight note scale. You can even start from the left of the keyboard and continue the scale all the way to the right. With a little practice, you will be proficient at playing major scales.