Types of Scales on the keyboard

The piano keyboard models the two main types of scales: the pentatonic on the black keys, and the diatonic on the white keys. 

To find a model pentatonic scale, look at and hear just the black keys on the piano, one after the other.  Then try playing by ear some of the pentatonic songs listed in Types of Scales: Pentatonic.  Use just black keys.  Songs like "Amazing Grace" and "How Firm a Foundation" start on SOL, the left of the two black keys.  Others, like "Old MacDonald," start on DO, the left of the three black keys.  Some songs, like "Wayfarin' Stranger," are in minor and start on the minor DO, the right of the two black keys. 

The diatonic scales are modeled on the white keys.  Try playing "Joy to the World" on the white keys, starting on "C" (the white key to the left of the two black keys) and then going down (to the left) on white keys only.  Any of the other diatonic songs listed in the blog article can be played on the white keys.  For example, "Marine Hymn" starts on DO and then goes up by skips.  Other songs, like "Simple Gifts," start on SOL, which in C Major is the note G (the white key between the two left black keys in the group of three).  Diatonic songs in minor can be played on the white keys starting on the note A and going up to the right by steps (ABCDEFG).  "A" is the white key between the right two black keys in the group of three.  "The Praties They Grow Small" can be played starting on A and then proceeding to the right by steps. 

When these two scales are combined into one scale, so that all of the white keys and black keys are used without skipping any, we hear and see the chromatic scale.  The Rodgers and Hart song "Lover" is a song that uses the chromatic scale in the melody. 

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