Learn the notes of each scale as 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 and back to 1. It’s very important to learn the major scales numerically. If you don’t have these 12 major scales completely memorized then you should be working on them every day until you do.
Many interesting sounding modes can be derived from the major scale and so spending adequate time to memorise them will give you strong foundations for further scale study. If you are just starting out with jazz piano scale study, the first step is to learn the 12 major scales. The circle of fifths is a handy diagram that shows which keys are most closely related to each other on the piano. The most effective way to learn the 12 major scales is through using the circle of fifths. However, you will also come across scales that contain 5, 6 and even 8 notes - more on these in other lessons. Downloadable Lesson Supplementĭownload this free PDF containing the major scales in all 12 keys.Īll of the major scales contain 7 notes. For example, if we are playing a piece of music using just the notes from the C major scale, we are playing in the key of C. When we play a piece of music using the notes of a particular scale, we say that we are playing in that key. Scales provide the foundation for understanding harmony and learning the 12 major scales is a fundamental step in learning jazz piano.
