This page will help you master one-octave major scales in the flat keys, B flat to D flat (four scales).

You will already have worked through the page covering the one-octave, hands-together sharp keys.

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.)

The x5/x8 patterns

On this page, you use this collection of x5/x8 patterns for all keys.

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*), 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 as 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 F and B majors - the 'odd men out' - or use the series nav below to access any page.

AND...

Once you're comfortable playing these one-octave scales in similar motion, you can go on to try the contrary motion scales for this scale fingering group - where the hands go in opposite directions.