Free 5-Finger Major Scales in 12 Keys for Piano

These are important exercises you can do to get familiar with each shape of all 5-finger major scales (major penta scales). The 5-finger scale means it has the first 5 notes of the full octave scale. (The full octave scale has 8 notes). Please remember to add # (sharps) and b (flats) that indicated in the key signature at the beginning of each system (line) even though they are not visible on the notes. Try to memorize easier ones first. And eventually, it's best to memorize all keys. In this exercise, you will be playing a Penta scale first, then, broken 3-note tonic chord, and at last, you will be playing a blocked 3-note tonic chord to end each exercise. Penta scales are in a way more important than the full scale because to know the full scale, you still need to know the first 5 notes of the full scale. Penta means 5.

What is a tonic chord? Tonic means 1. In the case of C Major, the tonic note is C, meaning the 1st note (the lowest note) of a scale. And a tonic chord in the key of C major is built on a tonic note which is C. When you see the exercise in C Major Penta scale, you can see a 3-note chord at the end. That is a "tonic chord." And in this case, you can call it "C chord," "Tonic chord in C Major," or "I (one) chord in C Major." 

Fingerings for Penta scales are always the same. It's always 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 for the right hand. And 5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5 for the left hand. For the tonic chord, always use 1, 3, and 5. 

It's boring to listen to the sample recording. But it's on the top of this page for you to listen to it for free just in case you need it.  

About this sheet music and what it includes:

Download, Print (or see it on your tablet), and Practice! 

This product is a free digital download. Even though this is free, you still need to go through the checkout page. You do not need to give your credit card information though. After you go through the checkout page, you will be downloading a PDF file. You should be able to download it to your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet if they are connected to the internet. You'll also receive a download link via email. You may download it later when it's convenient for you. After you download it, please print it out or see it on your tablet for your use. And most importantly, PRACTICE!

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More piano exercises and sheet music available:

• Please visit our page, "Free Piano Exercises" to browse more exercises to help your piano playing skills.
• Piano sheet music in the genres of classical, ragtime, holiday music, folk music, and Latin music by multiple composers available from our site, Galaxy Music Notes.