A scale consists of eight tones that are spread equally between one key and the key that is exactly one octave above it. Scales can be in many different types. They are all considered to be either major or minor scales. The happier scales are considered to be the major scales. The dark or deep sounding scales are known as the minor scales.

If you spend a part of your practice time playing scales, you build muscle memory in your hands. This means that, after much time practicing, your hands go more easily to notes in the scale you are playing at any given time. You only have to see the printed music or think of the melody and your hands know what to do.

Anytime you mention scales you will most certainly also mention keys. When a pianist hears the word keys, they think of either the ivory or wood keys on the keyboard or quite possibly the keys that a melody or scale is being played in.

If you have ever spent any time in a lounge or piano bar and hear a singer take the stage and address the pianist with "let's go with the key of D", then you might have been confused by his or her statement. What they are telling the pianist is that they would like to start with chords that start with the D key. They then know exactly where they need to begin to play their music. If a chord in a wrong key is played it can drastically affect the overall sound of the song.

When you are learning scales, you can do it without learning all the key signatures. (Key signatures are the written notation of the keys, such as the key of C or the key of G.) You can begin by playing a C scale. A major C scale is all done on the white keys. Begin with your right hand in the Home Keys position. Remember that your fingers are numbered 1-5, with the thumb being 1.

Begin playing following the 1-2-3 pattern. Once you have completed this pattern you have keyed the notes C, D, and E on the piano. When you get to your ring finger in the count, place your thumb on the F key by sliding it under the other fingers. Once your thumb is there, reposition your other fingers in order and begin the sequence again. You will be playing 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, or C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. You have done it. Your first scale has been played. Be sure to take some time to practice what you have learned.

To play a C scale with your left hand, put your little finger on the C below middle C. Position your fingers from 1-5 coming up the keyboard from each key to the next. Play 5-4-3-2-1. Then, reach over the top with your middle finger and place it on the next key. Play 3-2-1 from this position. Therefore, you are playing 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, or C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.

After you practice this for awhile, try to put the left hand and the right hand together. Play the C below middle C with your left pinkie at the same time as you play the middle C with your left thumb. Continue up the scale with both hands. It can be a little tricky at first because you are going over with your middle finger of your left hand and the under with the thumb of the right hand at different times. Practice awhile and it will come naturally.

Once you get the basic procedure down, it is easy to play other major scales. The only thing you have to remember is the sequence of steps and half steps in a major scale. The correct order up a major scale is: beginning note-step-step-half step-step-step-step-half step. You should be aware that, since there are no black keys between them, the intervals from B-C and from E-F are each half steps.

Your scale can be played from any point on the keyboard. You only need to select a starting point and you are ready to begin. You can begin on a black key or a white key, it doesn't matter as long as you are following the steps that were described above and are playing a scale that consists of eight notes. You may even want to begin the scale with the key on the furthest left and play the scale until you reach the last key on the piano. All you need is some practice and you will find that your fingers are flying down the keyboard playing major scales.