Piano Scale Fingering Chart
Standard right and left hand fingerings for the major scales, one octave. A clear reference to keep by the piano.
Finger numbers: pianists number the fingers 1 to 5 on each hand, starting from the thumb. They are the same numbers on both hands, so finger 1 is always the thumb.
1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. Left hand fingerings below are given low to high, the same order you play them going up.
Scales that share the standard fingering
C, G, D, A and E major all use the same fingering, one octave up and back down.
| Hand | Ascending fingers |
|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Left hand | 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
F major
F major uses a different right-hand pattern because of the B flat.
| Hand | Ascending fingers |
|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 |
| Left hand | 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
Coming down, simply reverse the fingering. Scales that start on black keys (such as B, D flat, E flat, A flat and B flat major) use their own fingerings, which we cover step by step in lessons.
Our free Piano Scales Book covers all 12 major scales plus every minor key, two octaves, fully fingered, sent straight to your inbox.