Nathaniel School of Music

The Scale Practice Routine Pianists Skip: Parallel, Contrary and Similar Motion

A complete piano scale workout plays each scale hands together in parallel motion, then contrary motion, then a parallel-contrary-contrary-parallel combination, and finally similar motion in thirds, using accents to strengthen the weaker fingers.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 30 min

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Key points

What this lesson teaches

In this lesson Jason Zac shares the scale routine he uses to warm up before practice, recordings and shows. It suits pianists who can already play a one-octave scale and want both hands to become strong, even and independent. Instead of C major, he uses A major and E harmonic minor, because scales with black notes make your fingers align differently, and you may even find them easier.

The two scales

Learn each scale's shape, which Jason calls a piano worm. A major is white white black white white black black white. E harmonic minor is white black white white white white black white, with a stretched gap between C and D#. That gap is an augmented second, so be aware of it visually.

Exercise 1: Parallel motion

Play one octave in each hand. In the right hand, play three notes (A B C# with fingers 1 2 3), tucking the thumb under the middle finger as soon as the third note is played, then continue with 1 2 3 4 5. Descending is the exact reverse: five consecutive fingers, then cross the middle finger over and land back on the thumb.

The left hand is a mirror image: 5 4 3 2 1, then cross the middle finger over the thumb. Ascending, you cross the middle finger; descending, you tuck the thumb. The thumb tucking under is what propels the hand forward. Avoid too much elbow movement, as a stable hand keeps the mind relaxed and stable. Practise one hand at a time, then put both hands together. E harmonic minor uses the same fingering.

Accents for weaker fingers

Beginners often lose control of the ring finger and other weak fingers. To fix this, add volume variations and accent certain notes, especially those played by weaker fingers. Imagine a ghost drummer next to you and play along with that groove. Control comes from finger strength and from the mental strength to know each note as it passes quickly.

Always sing as you play: note names, swaras or just a hum.

Exercise 2: Contrary motion

When one hand goes up, the other goes down. The fingering does not change, and because the hands are mirror images, the same fingers cross at the same moment. The challenge is mental, since each hand plays different notes. Watch out for the G# in A major.

Exercise 3: The combination

The pattern is parallel, contrary, contrary, parallel:

  1. Ascend both hands in parallel.
  2. At the top, the right hand skips the pinky and continues with the thumb for one more octave up while the left hand descends.
  3. The right hand descends while the left hand ascends.
  4. Both hands descend together, ending on the root.

In E harmonic minor, when moving between octaves, cross the ring finger so it plays the seventh degree, D#.

Exercise 4: Similar motion in thirds

Both hands move in the same direction but start a third apart. The left hand plays A major normally while the right hand starts on C#, the third, and plays C# D E F# G# A B C#. This is actually C# Phrygian. Learn the new hand's fingering first. Jason suggests starting with the index finger and crossing the ring finger. Then flip it: the right hand plays the normal scale and the left hand plays the thirds line, starting on the middle finger and crossing the ring finger at the fourth note.

For E harmonic minor, the thirds line starts on G, and you may want to begin with the ring finger. Sing each hand's line separately for a strong ear-training workout.

How to practise

  1. Write down the scale.
  2. Play it in parallel motion, one hand at a time first, with accents.
  3. Move through contrary motion, the combination and both similar-motion versions.
  4. Mix keys, for example A major and Eb major, in a 10 to 15 minute warm-up.

Treat the fingerings as suggestions. As long as it sounds good and stays legato, a better fingering for you is fine. Expect this to take time.

Questions about this lesson

What is the difference between contrary and similar motion in scales?

In contrary motion one hand goes up while the other goes down, using mirror-image fingering. In similar motion both hands move in the same direction but play different notes, in this lesson a third apart.

What scale does the right hand play in similar motion in thirds over A major?

It plays C# D E F# G# A B C#, which is C# Phrygian, starting on the third of A major while the left hand plays A major.

How do I stop my weaker fingers slipping in scales?

Play with accents and volume variations that target the weaker fingers, imagining a drum groove behind you. This builds both finger strength and the mental control to track each note.

Why is E harmonic minor tricky to finger?

Its flat sixth, C, and raised seventh, D#, form an augmented second, a bigger gap than usual. You need to see and feel that stretch on the keyboard.

Practise it

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