Fusion Piano Exercise Using an Indian Pentatonic Raga (All 12 Keys)
This fusion piano exercise uses a five-note Indian-sounding scale built from the root, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth and flat seventh (D F# G A C in D), played up and down in both hands through all 12 keys, with each key's hand-position challenges explained.
Key points
- The scale uses root, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth and flat seventh: in D that is D F# G A C.
- Play it ascending and descending, then speed up to semiquavers, hands separately first if needed.
- Every key moves your fingers to a new position, so each needs its own wrist and hand adjustments.
- Use the wrist rather than the elbow, and keep the left elbow from tucking into your body.
- Make it musical with drum-groove accents and accents that strengthen weak fingers like the ring finger.
This lesson from Jason Zac at Nathaniel School of Music turns an Indian-sounding pentatonic scale into a finger exercise. It is the first part of a fusion series. Here the focus is technique: play the scale up and down in both hands, then take it through all 12 keys. Each key puts your fingers in a different position, which is the whole point of the exercise. It suits pianists who already know their way around the keyboard and want a fresh drill that also trains the ear.
The intervals of the scale
The scale has five notes, which is what pentatonic means. Learn it as a set of intervals so you can move it to any key:
- Root
- Major third
- Perfect fourth
- Perfect fifth
- Flat seventh
In the key of D this gives D, F#, G, A, C. Because of the major third and flat seventh it is not really D major. Those two notes, sitting around the fourth and fifth, give the scale its Indian colour.
The drill
- Play the five notes ascending, then come back down.
- Once it feels secure, speed it up to semiquavers.
- If both hands together is new to you, practise one hand at a time, then bring in the left hand.
- You can hold the sustain pedal for a fuller sound, but keep every note accurate.
The scale in all 12 keys
White-note keys
- C: C E F G Bb. The right-hand pinky has to reach the black Bb. Use your wrist to get onto it, and you can circle the wrist slightly. In the left hand, don't let your elbow tuck in towards your stomach. Move the hand up instead.
- D: D F# G A C. The root and flat seventh are easy. The middle three notes are clustered together, so sort those fingers out carefully.
- E: E G# A B D. Almost a carbon copy of D.
- F: F A Bb C Eb. Similar to C but slightly easier, with less of a jerk in the right hand. In the left hand you need to slide in.
- G: G B C D F. All white notes, so this is the most comfortable key.
- A: A C# D E G. A carbon copy of E.
- B: B D# E F# A. The right hand is easy. The left hand is the tricky one. Use a little wrist movement and don't jerk the elbow. The pinky and ring finger sit awkwardly, so you have to get used to that.
Black-note keys
- Db: Db F Gb Ab Cb (B). It feels congested. In the right hand you can keep the hand further out and bring it in just for the thumb. The left hand is easy as long as you curve your wrist outward. All five fingers are needed.
- Eb: Eb G Ab Bb Db. Also congested, but very easy for the right hand. The left hand needs some juggling because the pinky and thumb both land on black notes.
- F#: F# A# B C# E. Feels freer. The right hand is easy, which is true of most of the black-note keys. Angle the left hand.
- Ab: Ab C Db Eb Gb. Try it a little lower on the keyboard. Watch the left-hand ring finger. The right hand is easy.
- Bb: Bb D Eb F Ab. Like B, it makes your body sway a little because of how the fingers move.
How to practise it musically
Once the notes are secure, don't just run it mechanically:
- Accent to a groove. Imagine a drum groove and accent harder wherever the snare would hit.
- Strengthen weak fingers. Put the accent on a weak finger, such as the ring finger, so it gets stronger.
- Vary the volume. Adjusting the volume of individual notes goes a long way.
Practise this part well in all 12 keys. In Part 2, the same scale is used for improvisation. The right hand plays freely over a simple, steady left hand, which builds hand independence.
Questions about this lesson
What notes are in this Indian pentatonic scale?
It is built from the root, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth and flat seventh. In D the notes are D, F#, G, A and C. In C they are C, E, F, G and Bb.
Why practise this scale in all 12 keys?
Each key places the five fingers differently on the white and black notes, so every key brings a new mechanical challenge. Working through all 12 builds technique and a feel for the intervals.
Which keys are hardest for this exercise?
The B, Eb and Ab versions are tricky in the left hand, and D needs care with its three clustered middle notes. G, with all white notes, is the easiest.
How can I make the finger exercise more musical?
Imagine a drum groove and accent the notes where the snare would hit. You can also place accents on weaker fingers, like the ring finger, to strengthen them.
Practise it
- Solfa StudioPractise scales, solfège and swaras with visual and musical context.
- Circle of FifthsExplore the Circle of Fifths through keys, scales, chords and intervals.
- 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.
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