How to Creatively Practise Thirds Over Piano Scales
To practise thirds over a piano scale, write the scale in a circle, pair each note with the scale note two steps above it (E with G#, F# with A, and so on in E major), then play those pairs up, down, or in mixed directions to build both technique and melody.
Key points
- Write the scale in a circle, then skip one note to find each diatonic third.
- In E major the thirds are E-G#, F#-A, G#-B, A-C#, B-D#, C#-E and D#-F#.
- Use mainly thumb, index and middle fingers; thumb on a starting white key, index on a starting black key.
- Play pairs up, down, or alternating to get four melodic permutations.
- Sing each third before playing it, and practise both major and harmonic minor.
What this lesson teaches
This is the third part of Jason Zac's series on exploring scales from new technical angles while still sounding musical. Earlier parts covered compression and expansion of the hand, then a pendulum drill for crossing over. Here the focus is thirds: how to build them from a scale, how to finger them, and how to turn a dry technical drill into something melodic. It suits beginner to intermediate pianists who already know their major and minor scales.
The lesson uses the key of E, in both E major and E harmonic minor, so you train both sounds rather than favouring the major scale.
Step 1: Build diatonic thirds
A diatonic third uses only notes from the scale you are in. The easiest way to find them is to write the scale down in a neat circle, then take any note, skip the next one, and land on the one after. That pair is your third.
The E major scale is E F# G# A B C# D#. Its thirds are:
- E to G#
- F# to A
- G# to B
- A to C#
- B to D#
- C# to E
- D# to F#
- then back to E to G#
The E harmonic minor scale is E F# G A B C D#, with the raised seventh (D#) giving it its distinctive sound. Use exactly the same circle-and-skip method to write out its pairs before you play them.
Thirds are also the building blocks of chords: stack one third on another and you have a triad. That is one reason they are worth knowing so well.
Step 2: Sing and check
As you work through the pairs, sing them. Play the root, imagine and sing the third, then play it to check whether what you sang matches. This develops your ear, your technique and your theory at the same time.
Step 3: Fingering
- Mainly use the first three fingers: thumb, index and middle.
- On the way down you can also bring in the ring finger.
- A simple rule: keep the thumb for a starting white key, and use the index finger for a starting black key, since it is longer and reaches black keys more easily.
- You can play black keys with the thumb, but it needs more angling and gives you less room.
Do not get too fixed on fingering, because it changes from scale to scale. Just keep those three fingers in mind. In the demonstration, the left hand simply keeps a pulse on E.
Step 4: Change the direction
Each pair can be played two ways: root then third (E up to G#) or third then root (G# down to E). That gives you four permutations through the scale:
- All pairs going up (root to third).
- All pairs going down (third to root).
- Alternating: up, then down on the next pair, and so on.
- Alternating the other way: down, then up.
Practise each ascending and descending. Even the mixed patterns already sound like melodies.
Step 5: Improvise with thirds
Once the pairs feel comfortable, slow down, add a groove and invent your own patterns using only the thirds of the scale. Many melodies are built from thirds moving up or down in different orders, so this is direct preparation for composing with chords and melodies.
How to practise
Approach practice with the aim of making music rather than setting a timer to grind through scales. Learn the exercise in E major and E minor, then write out new scales and repeat the process. If your time allows, set a weekly goal of around three scales.
Questions about this lesson
How do I find the thirds in a scale?
Write the scale in a circle, pick any note, skip the next scale note and take the one after it. In E major, E skips F# and lands on G#, giving the third E-G#.
What fingers should I use for thirds on the piano?
Mostly the thumb, index and middle fingers, with the ring finger optional on the way down. Keep the thumb for a starting white key and use the index finger when the starting note is a black key.
How can I make practising thirds more musical?
Vary the direction of each pair, playing root to third, third to root, or alternating between the two. Then slow down, add a groove and improvise your own patterns from the scale's thirds.
Why practise thirds in the minor scale too?
Many songs are in minor keys, so you should not be biased towards major. Practising the same key in both E major and E harmonic minor trains both sounds.
Practise it
- Two NotesA guided field guide to intervals: consonance, inversions, scales, modes and the Circle of Fifths.
- SpanAn interval practice studio with separate Ear, Eyes, Hands and Voice drills.
- Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
- All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.
Related lessons
- 5 Finger Piano Exercises for Beginners That Sound BeautifulPlace your right thumb on C and your pinky on G. Then play four drills: up and down, in thirds, in triplet groups and in two-note pairs, all over a steady left-hand pulse. Next, change the second, third and fourth notes to turn the same drills into minor, dreamy or flamenco-like music.
- One Piano Exercise for Scales, Intervals and Chords (E Minor, Both Hands)This combo exercise trains the E natural minor scale with both hands at once: the right hand plays every diatonic interval from seconds to octaves while the left hand supports with roots, octaves, thirds, fifths, triads or seventh chords.
- How to Transpose to Any Key, Scale, Mode and Chord Progression on PianoTo transpose a melody on piano, first choose its tonic and scale, write each note as a scale-degree number (or swara), then rebuild those numbers in a new key, a new scale, a new mode or over a new chord, singing it before you play it.
- How to Write a Melody on Piano Using the Pentatonic ScalesTo write a melody over a chord progression on piano, build the major pentatonic (scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, 6) or its relative minor pentatonic, then create tunes from mechanical note patterns, by singing phrases and playing them back, and by repeating a short motif that fits every chord.