For those who are taking the practical graded exams, scales is one of the requirements of the exam. For a young child, these may not be easy to learn as they all sound the same but consists of different groups of black and white keys. Students not only need to remember the correct notes for each scale, but also need to practice with the correct fingering. Practicing with the correct fingering will allow you to remember the scale fingering and notes easily (most scales have the same fingering) and to avoid errors and slips. The correct fingering may not be the most convenient fingering, thus students need to resist the urge to use the most convenient fingering or to play faster than he/she can control. Therefore, for young children, it is always advisable for the parents to learn so that they can guide their children at home.
To aid in the learning of scales, you may also like to print out Scales Checklist G1
To further aid in your learning of scales, you might want to consider purchasing this book – ABRSM Initial Grade Piano Scales & Arpeggios
Get this book at Amazon Singapore
Get this book at Amazon UK
For the scales and arpeggios syllabus of other grades, please click here
Do check the whether it is supposed to be played 1 or 2 octaves, hands together or separately (as indicated above each scale)
*Note that for minor scales, only harmonic minors are shown here.
For melodic minors, please go to this page All Minor Scales (melodic)
Click on the links below to skip to each scale or arpeggio
Scales: C Major | G Major | D Harmonic Minor | C Major Contrary Motion |
Arpeggios: C Major | A Minor |
C Major Scale
Hands separately, 1 octave
Right Hand:
Left hand:
C Major Scale Video
D Harmonic Minor Scale
Hands separately, 1 octave
Right hand:
Left hand:
D Harmonic Minor Scale Video
[pending]
C Major Contrary Motion Scale
Hands together, up to a 5th, starting with thumbs on middle C
C Major Contrary Motion Scale Video
[pending]
C Major Arpeggio
Hands separately, up to a 5th
Right hand:
Left hand:
C Major Arpeggio Video
*note that for initial grade you are only required to play this arpeggio up to a 5th
[pending]
D Minor Arpeggio
Hands separately, up to a 5th
Right hand
Left hand
D minor Arpeggio Video
*note that for grade 1 you are only required to play this arpeggio up to a 5th
[pending]
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*updated in 2026
My Piano Teacher 
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