Explore the Y-Axis of Music With All Intervals and Scales Using a Simple Chord Progression

The pendulum scale drill trains you to move both above and below the root (one, two, three and four steps each way from F), then harmonise the right-hand pattern with a left-hand tonic, predominant and dominant chord in major, minor and modal scales.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 23 min

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What this lesson teaches

Most scale exercises start on the root and only travel upwards. In this lesson Jason Zac treats the root as the zero point of a graph, with pitch as the y-axis, and practises moving both above and below it, like a swinging pendulum. The drill is played in the key of F, then harmonised with three left-hand chords and moved through several major-sounding and minor-sounding scales. It suits pianists who already know basic scales and want a stronger sense of pitch around a root.

The pendulum drill in F

Start with your right-hand thumb on F. The pendulum swings the same distance up as it does down, always returning to F.

1. One up, one down: F G F E F
2. Two up, two down: F G A G F E D E F
3. Three up, three down: F G A Bb A G F E D C D E F
4. Four up, four down: F G A Bb C Bb A G F E D C Bb C D E F. Going up, the pinky lands on C, which is the last finger available.

Singing along is encouraged, as it builds your ear for each step away from the root.

Fingering

The upper half is straightforward. Below the root, cross your middle finger over the thumb so the index can land on D. For three down, avoid crossing the ring finger. That is painful and inefficient. Use the middle finger instead and bring the thumb back under. For four down you cross the middle, then cross the index again to reach the lowest note.

Speed and posture

Play the pattern as eighth notes, then sixteenths, then 32nd notes for a real workout. Some elbow movement is fine, but do not drive it from the shoulder. Keep the arm close to your body. If you feel tense, your hand may be dropping or your wrist may be stiff. Keep the wrist relaxed so the forearm can do the work. At fast speeds, take breaks, for example 10 minutes of playing and 5 minutes of rest.

Harmonising with three chords

The left hand plays a simple loop of tonic, predominant, tonic, dominant. Play it low, in second inversion, so the hands do not collide.

• Tonic contains degrees 1, 3 and 5, especially 3 and 5: F major (F A C). D minor can act as a minor tonic.
• Predominant highlights degrees 4 and 6: Bb major (Bb D F), or G minor, which also contains Bb and D.
• Dominant highlights degrees 7 and 2, which are E and G: C major (C E G) or E diminished (E G Bb).

If two hands is too much at first, just hold each chord for a bar. Once the right hand has its muscle memory, the left hand can do more.

Changing the scale

Major-sounding scales

• F Mixolydian has Eb instead of E, so you meet it in the lower half of the swing. The chords are F major, Bb major, F major, then C minor or Eb major as the dominant.
• F Lydian has B instead of Bb, so you meet it in the upper half. Keep F major as the tonic, use G major or E minor as the in-between chord, and C major as the dominant.
• F Mixolydian b6 adds Db to the flat 7, Eb. The tonic stays major, but the predominant becomes the minor iv chord, Bb minor (Bb Db F).

Minor-sounding scales

• F natural minor has the chords F minor, Bb minor, F minor and C minor.
• F harmonic minor raises Eb to E, so the dominant becomes C major.
• F Dorian has a raised 6th, which is D. Use F minor, Bb major, F minor and C minor.
• F Phrygian is natural minor with a flat 2, Gb. Use F minor with Gb major for the Spanish, flamenco sound. Ab major or Eb minor also work.

How to practise

Learn each swing size in the right hand alone first, singing as you go. Then add the held left-hand chords. Then work through the scales one at a time. Once it feels secure in F, try the same drill on other roots.

Questions about this lesson

What is the pendulum scale exercise on piano?

It is a scale drill where you start on the root and move the same number of steps above and below it before returning, for example F G F E F. The swing grows from one step up to four steps in each direction.

Which fingering works for going below the root?

Start with the thumb on the root and cross the middle finger over it to go down. For larger swings, bring the thumb back under and cross the index finger as well, rather than crossing the ring finger.

What left-hand chords harmonise the drill in F major?

Play F major as the tonic, Bb major as the predominant, back to F major, then C major (or E diminished) as the dominant. Use second-inversion shapes, low down, so the hands do not collide.

How do the chords change for F Dorian or F Phrygian?

For F Dorian, use F minor, Bb major, F minor and C minor, because of its raised 6th. For F Phrygian, pair F minor with Gb major for a flamenco sound. Ab major or Eb minor also fit.

Practise it

• PendulumExplore accents, subdivisions, scale patterns and chord movement with Western, Hindustani or Carnatic note names.
• CantusChoose a root and scale, hear piano voicings, and move the same shape through different 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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