You would have read earlier about the C scale on the keyboard and how to play it with your right hand. Now we explore the same, but using your left hand. There are certainly similarities as well as differences, which will be clear soon enough.

Start from the middle C and go down an octave (8 notes) to the low C. Place your little finger on this C, and align the remaining fingers accordingly on D, E, F, and G. Make sure you’re using the tips of your fingers to make contact with the keys.

We’ll be using the tuck and roll technique here as well. However, the tuck happens a little later as compared to when you played the scale with your right hand. In terms of finger numbers (1 being your thumb and 5 your pinkie) this would look like:

C scale with the left hand, in ascending order: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1

C scale with the left hand, in descending order: 2-3-1-2-3-4-5

Pay attention to your posture and forearm position – it should remain parallel to the ground. You have to bend your thumb to do the tuck and roll, and not your forearm. These may seem like insignificant changes, but they will have a huge impact on your playing in the long run. So, make sure you get it right from the very first practice session itself.

Now play the C scale with your right hand, followed by the C scale with your left hand. This will help you better appreciate the differences. Once you’re comfortable with both individually, take this up a notch and try playing them together. Maintain a slow tempo initially so it’s easier for you to coordinate both hands and play.

Keep practising and perfecting your finger movements. The C scale is certainly not the only scale to learn on the keyboard – there are around 7 scales in total, some incorporating sharps and flats as well. But for now, at this beginner level, focus on the C scale in all your practice sessions. In the next post, we will move on to chords which are nothing but a group of notes played together. Keep reading to learn all about major and minor chords.