A scale is a succession of notes on the piano. When you play a scale there is 8 keys that you have to play but you only have 5 fingers.

Playing scales will limber up your fingers, impress your friends and improve your thinking as you work out how to do it.

Master a scale with both hands at the same time is your ultimate goal.

This is for a scale going up with the left hand. There is a another technique for the scale going down AND the right hand.

Step One
First hold up your hand and while looking at it mentally give your fingers numbers. It is easier to explain a scale when you assign your fingers' numbers. Your thumb is No. 1, pointer is No. 2, the index is No. 3, the ring finger is No. 4 and the pinky is No. 5.

Step Two

Also, although it is not necessary to know this to play a scale the keys will be in this order. C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C  (The musical alphabet goes from A to G and starts all over again, but since we are doing a C scale we will start with the C.)

Step Three

First with your left hand, find middle C on the piano. If you are not sure where it is then put your body right in the middle of the piano and find the two black keys. Place your No. 5 finger, on the left black key of the two black keys and let it slide down to the first white key on the left. That is your C. Now you are in position to play.

Step Four

Going up the piano (to the right) push down No. 5 finger, No. 4 finger, then No. 3 finger, then No. 2 and then No. 1. Now you have no more fingers left, but if if you take your No. 3 finger and cross it over your No. 1 you will land on the next key which is A. As you press the key with your No. 3 finger simultaneously pull your No. 1 finger out from underneath your palm, then press down your No. 2 finger on the B and your last finger No. 1 will land on C.

Step Five

There you have it, you have used 5 fingers to play 8 keys. Practice slowly without making mistakes and your speed will increase and you can amaze your friends.