A Major Scale - Learn & Memorise With These 7 Visuals! (Piano RH - 2 Octaves)

Here are SEVEN visuals I designed to help students learn & memorise A major Scale for the RH on the piano or keyboard.

• My instructions might be useful for parents, teachers, and learners who feel like reading.
• Always be on the lookout for useful MATCHES (such as sounds and symbols which are the same or similar) Be ready to BATCH them (practice the same kinds of sounds/ symbols at the same time).
• Some of the steps are to be done seated at a table.
• Others will be done at the keyboard.
• To OPTIMISE your confidence and satisfaction, LEARN and MOVE with the "SOUND OFF".
• Then your BRAIN and MUSCLES will be clear on how to play A major scale easily and very well.

A major scale has 3 sharps. A well-loved piece in A major I have played is Cesar Franck's Sonata in A for violin and piano which is like an exciting adventure, full of mystery and magic. It is very long but listening to about 30 seconds or 1 minute of it might inspire you to imagine the marvellous journeys you could go on one day with A major and other scale friends!

ARE YOU READY TO GO FOR A JOURNEY IN A MAJOR?

Step 1: ​Step 1: 3 DOORWAYS (Table)

• Sit at a table and move your thumb and 5 finger from left to right, then back to the left again.
• Do you remember if the sounds get higher or lower when you move towards the right on your piano?
• Think of each A as a DOORWAY you will pass through.
• Even though black and white looks very cool (and help us to cross the road) it can be easy to get lost on the piano.

• So I have highlighted the Finger Number Patterns in Juicy Orange and Cheery Red.
• Imagine those colours splashed over your keys.
• But don't go painting your piano now. I have enough grumpy parents to deal with.

Step 2: ​Step 2: HANDY 3 ~4 POSITIONS (Table)

• Observe the colours showing the 5 hand positions.
• ORANGE rises from Finger numbers 1 to 3.
• RED rises from Finger numbers 1 to 4.
• There is a repeat.
• The top note can be played with Finger 5.
• I call this 3 ~ 4 because the highest number each time is first 3 and then 4.

• SAY the highest number out loud each time to help you remember it.
• Move your fingers on the table-top.
• When you descend, the finger numbers will FALL from 4 to 1, then 3 to 1.
• Then it repeats.

• Move your fingers on the table-top.
• SAY the highest number out loud each time to help you remember it.

Step 3: ​Step 3: SAY HI TO THE BLACK KEYS! (Table Then Piano)

Random fact: Did you know some keyboard instruments have black and white keys switched the other way around!

• Finger Pattern 1-3 has ONE black key.
• Finger Pattern 1-4 have TWO black keys.
• Play on the table-top and stretch your finger/s out to reach the black keys.
• Then go to the keyboard and SILENT play rising (left to right).
• Say Orange and Red as you switch patterns.

This will help you be clear on which part of the scale you're on.

Now it's time to play with SOUND ON!
Say Orange and Red.

Ideas for Bits to Play:

• Orange and Red rising only.
• Orange only rising only.
• Red only rising only.
• Orange and Red rising and falling.
• Orange and Red rising only.
• Try switching between SILENT and SOUND ON.

Step 4: ​Step 4: HERE ARE MIRROR PAIRS! (Piano)

• Memorise the positions of the magical mirror pairs. They will help you coordinate with your LH.

Step 5: ​Step 5: PLAY AND SAY MIRROR PAIRS (Piano)

• Play them SILENTLY and say "Mirror Pair" when you get to them.
• Play them with SOUND ON.
• Say "Mirror Pair" when you get to them.

Step 6: Step 6: Orange and Red

• Play the scale.
• Say ORANGE and RED when you get to each section.

(See Ideas for Bits to Play).

Step 7: ​Step 7: Final Step - Mirror Pairs

• Play the scale.
• Say MIRROR PAIR when you get to each Mirror Pair.

How did you get on?

This is my first Instructable.
So, if you find it helpful or have any suggestions, please let me know!