scales and modes Major scale fingering groups ‘Now we'llintroduce the “fingering group” concept, agreat way to visualize the fingering of each scale, beginning here with the major scale. In the right hand, we're going to split the scale into groups of notes that start with, the thumb, Relatingbackto the C major scale atthe start ofthis chapter, these right hand groups can be shown, as “123” followed by “12345.” Now, we've already noted above that we would use the thumb instead of the pinky at the end of the scale, if we were continuing the scale into the next octave. Therefore, using the pinky isa special case situation that would apply only if we were not continuing beyond the last C. So, if we were to extend this righthand fingering over two octaves, the fingering groups would then break down as follows: 123 1234 123 1234(5) ‘The thumb starts each fingering group, and lands on C, then F, then C in the next octave, and then Fin the next octave respectively. The parentheses around the (5) at the end signifies that we use the pinky only at the top of the two-octave range. We'll shortly see this ight hand fingering scheme written out over two octaves, in the frst music exercise, In the lefthand, we're going to split the scale into groups of notes that end with the thumb, as another finger will ten need to be passed over the thumb in order to continue the scale. The lefchand fingering groups for the C major scale overa two-octave range work out as follows: (5)4321 321 4321 321 Here the thumb ends each fingering group, and lands on G, then C, then Gin the next octave, and then Cin the next octave respectively. The parentheses around the (S) atthe beginning signifies chat we use the pinky only atthe bottom of the ewo-octave range. Again, we'll soon see this left-hand fingering scheme written out over two octaves, inthe first music exercise. Each major scale contains specific combination of white and black keysexcept for the C major scale, which ‘contains ll white keys.So, when we apply the fingering group concept tall the other major scales, we'llneed to take these different white and black key combinationsinto account. Here are the suggested fingering groups forall of the major scales, righthand and left hand, over a two-octave range: Right Hand Major Scale(s) Fingering groups C,D,E, G, A, B (Ch) 123 1234 123 1234(5) oD 23 1234 123 1234 12 eb (2) 1234 123, 1234 123 F 12341231234 12314) FE (GH 234 123 1234123, 12 Ab (23) 123 1234 123 123 ab (2) 123 12341231234 Left Hand Major Scale(s) Fingering groups C,D,EFGA (5)4321 321 4321 321 Db, Eb, Ab, Bb 321 4321 321 4321 (2) FE (Gh) 4321 321 4321 321 (2) B (CH) (4)321 4321 321 4321