Try these chromatic scale similar motion patterns, which swap between the intervals you're already familiar with. The arrows above/below the music show you where the hands swap intervals.

You're almost certain to deviate from any prescribed fingering, so improvising some 'last resort get-out' fingering is a conscious feature of the exercises!

Download the PDF for the Scale City Chromatic Scales here.

Pattern One

Shrinks by four semitones from an octave to minor sixths to major thirds.

Count the 3-2 meter ONE-and-and-a TWO-and-and-a THREE-and-and-a...

Pattern Two

Increases by four semitones from major thirds to minor sixths, to unison, to major tenths.

Read the music 'for the pattern only' - a starting interval plus where and how the hands change directions - and attempt the pattern from any starting place.

Pattern Two -Variation

Reverse and invert the pattern.

• Start at the top in major tenths. Go down an octave and back up, but have the last two notes in the right hand come down, to form an octave.
• Take the octave interval down an octave and back up, but have the last two notes in the right hand come down, to form a major sixth.
• Take the major sixth down an octave and back up, but have the last two notes in the right hand come down, to form a major third.
• Take the third down an octave and back up to finish.

Pattern Three

Alternates between minor thirds and major sixths.

Count the 9-8 time signature: ONE-and-a TWO-and-a THREE-and-a...

The change in direction starts a semitone earlier - the difference between the intervals is greater.

Can you devise a version of the above pattern which uses major thirds and minor sixths?

Keep developing your ability to 'get out of a tight spot', fingering-wise. You can't improvise freely and work out your fingering in advance, so adapting to circumstances at lightning speed is the only way!