What does it mean to "learn the scales" when learning to play the keyboard?

Question

What does it mean to "learn the scales" when learning to play the keyboard? Does that mean learn to play do-re-me-fa.... starting at any key? if Im playing a song like "for hes a jolly good fellow" does that mean im playing in the f-scale? are the three most popular scales c, f and g?

OK from these first few answer I can see that im on the right track. Now how do I practice the scales? I have played in F and G...do I need to just get used to the fingering? Should I play songs I already know in a different scale to practice the fingering?

Answer 1

Yes, a scale is do-re-mi in any key. Look at the key signature (how many sharps or flats) to learn what key you are in. The key of F has one flat (Bb) so if your music for Jolly Good Fellow has one flat, you are in F. Scales are handy because you learn what sharps and flats go with which keys and learn the best fingerings to play in that key.
C, F, and G are very popular because they're three of the easiest ones to play.

Edit: All the scales I mentioned are major scales. If you feel you need to learn more, search the net or buy a book on music theory. Maybe your local community college offers a course in music theory you could take as well.

Answer 2

I'm 15 and have just decided that i want to play the violin. It's my obsession now. haha. I'm a little apprehensive though, because everyone who plays the violin starts at a very young age. However... there is no set time to begin learning something new. My friend started learning the piano about a year ago, and is getting very good. While it may help to start at a younger age, then again it may not. At 16, you have a much broader attention span, and will probably pick it up much easier. I think you should go for it, especially if you feel so strongly about playing. Being able to play music is a great talent and gift. I've played the clarinet for a little over six years now. All you need to do is start... find a teacher or some books and a piano and play. It's up to you if you are "too old", but i believe that anyone can do anything if they really want to. Best of Luck!!!! I hope you decide to pursue your ambitions. :]

Answer 3

do-re-me-fa etc. is called the major scale. There is also a melodic minor, and a harmonic minor scale that most people learn, and a whole series of others if you want to play jazz. But learning do -re -me starting on all the 12 different notes is a very good basic practice.

You can generally tell what key a song is in by the last note. If it ends on an F then its probably in F.

C, F and G are the 3 easiest to play on the keyboard, and they are very popular. Guitarists often also play in A or D or E which are not so simple on the keyboard, but if you are playing with guitarists you need to know them.

Answer 4

Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half

Remember that patern, it's for a magor scale. Now, start at C and work your way up that pattern. When you've got that, move on to D, E, F, G, A, and B. Learn all the sharps and flats that fit into that pattern. It takes some time and it gets really boring really fast, but it's a NEED to be good.

Yes, it's the do-ra-me stuff and many people will tell you it's not too important, they are lying. It's something I do for a few minutes a day during my practice routine.

Answer 5

Scales are patterns in music that are set in the keys, and usually played both ascending and descending (which aren't always the same notes). They help you get a feel for music theory, and how songs best fit together (for later on if you want to write your own).

Answer 6

You can play one song in any key. That can be how you practice with scale. For example, after you play a song in C-key (C-major scale), you can try playing that song starting with G (G-key, G-major scale). Then F, D, A, E, Bb and so on...

Answer 7

scales depends on the instrument. There are 2 type of scales major and concert. If you were a b flat instrument your most popular scale is c concert also know as b flat major.

Answer 8

Use the Wiki.