More Scale Fingering Help

by Sharon Kaplan
originally published January 2013 in the MMTA Newsletter

At the MMTA Visioning Session last August, there was a request that MMTA provide a book that has all the piano syllabus technical skills spelled out, with fingerings. And wouldn’t you know, we found someone, Elise Rieke, who is working on that and is willing to share it with us!! But working everything out and getting it all on paper takes time. Until then, here are some references that some of our committee members have found helpful.

THE FJH CLASSIC SCALE BOOKS by McArthur/McLean

FJH CLASSIC FIRST SCALE BOOK for Prep - level 2

* Major and parallel minor pentascales

* Cross-hand arpeggios
* Tonic chords (blocked and broken)
* Cadences (I-V-I, I-V(7)-I)
* Major and minor One-octave scales
* Three-note tonic chord inversions
* Cadence I IV V V7 I
* Instructional pages explaining all of the concepts covered in this book
* Quick Guide to Scale Fingering
* Practice guides
* Progress charts.

FJH CLASSIC SCALE BOOK for Level 3 - 6

* Explains concept for Major Scales

* Explains concept for Minor Scales
* One-octave major and minor scales in parallel motion in quarter notes
* Two-octave major and natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales in in parallel motion in eighths notes
* Contrary motion major and harmonic minor scales
* Triads and inversions ,block and broken
* Diminished 7th 4-note chord block
* Diminished 7th arpeggios
* Key note arpeggios.
* Cadence I IV V V7 I and inversions
* Chromatic Scale.

THE BROWN SCALE BOOK: Scales, Chords and Arpeggios for Piano Level 7- 11

This no-nonsense compendium is just the ticket as a reference source for scales and arpeggios. Every key is covered with major and minor (harmonic and melodic) scales, arpeggios, and chords. There's also a useful repertoire of practice ideas, contrary motion, third, sixths,...

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF SCALES, CHORDS, ARPEGGIOS & CADENCES

Scale, chord, arpeggio and cadence studies in all major and minor keys presented in a convenient two-page format. Includes an in-depth 12 page explanation that leads to complete understanding of the fundamentals of major and minor scales, chords, arpeggios and cadences plus a clear explanation of scale degrees and a two-page guide to fingering the scales and arpeggios. In addition, several enrichment options are provided with exercises such as harmonizing scales, accelerating scales expanding scales and much more!