This page will help you master the contrary motion one-octave major scales in the flat keys B flat to D flat - the scales in the 2H/SFG2 scale fingering group.

You will already have worked through introductory contrary motion page in C and the sharp keys to E major. Use the nav bar below to access other pages in the series.

The Scale Fingering Groups

Take a moment to look at the scale fingering group information - it will help you get an 'aerial view' of scale fingering, rather than trying to remember the fingering key by key.

The twelve two-handed major scales fall into four groups:

• '2H/SFG1*': C and sharp keys to E (RH SFG1 + LH SFG2)
• '2H/SFG2': Flat keys B flat to D flat (RH SFG3 + LH SFG4)
• '2H/SFG3': 'Odd Men Out' catch-up - F (RH 4+4, LH SFG2) and B (RH SFG1 + LH 4+4). 
  
• '2H/SFG4': the 'All-Blacks' (both hands SFG5) - D flat, F sharp (enh. G flat) and B majors.
  

*'2H/SFG' stands for "two-handed scale fingering group" - the
groups of two-handed scales with similar fingering.

NB: The diagram below - for reference - is for the single-handed SFGs, NOT the 2H/SFGs given above!

This page contains the '2H/SFG2' scales (RH SFG3 + LH SFG4) - flat keys B flat to D flat. (Flat key F major is an 'Odd Man Out' and comes with B on the 2H/SFG3 page.)

These scales are more challenging because, unlike the 2H/SFG1 scales, the fingering is no longer symmetrical - the thumb turns under at different times in the two hands.

Watch the video to see how best to understand the 2H/SFG2 scales.

The x5/x8 ConMo patterns

In this series of pages, you play these x5/x8 contrary motion (ConMo) patterns in all keys. You are hoping in the end to be able to play these patterns in any key.

B flat major

Have a good look at the key-specific keyboard (KSK) before you start.

B flat major has two flats - B flat, the tonic (from the F major scale - accidentals in key signatures are always 'carried over'), and the new E flat, on the fourth of the scale.

E flat major

Always bear in mind the logical build-up of the accidentals (black keys) as you move through the keys.

E flat major has three flats - the new A flat, on the fourth of the scale, plus B flat and E flat from the B flat major scale.

A flat major

A flat major adds the D flat on the fourth of the scale to three flats already in the key signature.

D flat major

D flat major has the G flat on the fourth of the scale, making it an all-the-black-keys major scale. (You'll also find it on the 'All Blacks' 2H/SFG4 page.)

Now go on to cover contrary motion in the F and B 'odd men out' majors, or use the series nav (below) to select another page.

AND/OR...

As soon as you have learned the contrary motion major scale in these keys, you can go on to use the abbreviated scale practice routine for this 2H/SFG.