GRADE 6

Complete Guide to Major & Minor Scales (Volume 2)

PIANO METHOD (HOME)

TO TEACHERS & STUDENTS: The objective of Grade 6 is to learn all 12 major and minor (harmonic and melodic) scales two octaves in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths at a moderate tempo. Grade 6 is spread out over a total of 12 weeks, not including the Exam. Ideally, each Lesson equals one week, but could be extended to two weeks for students who either learn at a slower pace and/or have less time to practice. Conversely, for students who are unusually gifted and/or fast learners, two or perhaps three lessons could be learned in one week. In any case, students should avoid rushing through lessons and skipping steps. The better one can learn these rudimentary lessons, the stronger one’s overall technical and theoretical foundation will become. The average student should spend at least 10-15 minutes daily on each lesson, making the learning of major scales an integral part of their overall daily piano practice. Each lesson corresponds with musical systems (lines) in the book. Simply screen-shot or print out each lesson and use the instructions as a guide to help work your way through the book! 

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WEEKLY LESSON PLANS FOR GRADE 6

GRADE 6 – LESSON 1 (lines 1c-e, 2c-e, 3c-e):  C MAJOR – A MINOR

  1. Examine lines 1c-e, C major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 1c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 1d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 1e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 2c-e, A harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 2c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 2d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 2e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 3c-e, A melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 3c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 3d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 3e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 1c-e, 2c-e, 3c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 2 (lines 4c-e, 5c-e, 6c-e):  G MAJOR – E MINOR

  1. Examine lines 4c-e, G major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 4c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 4d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 4e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 5c-e, E harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 5c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 5d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 5e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 6c-e, E melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 6c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 6d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 6e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 4c-e, 5c-e, 6c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 3 (lines 7c-e, 8c-e, 9c-e):  D MAJOR – B MINOR

  1. Examine lines 7c-e, D major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 7c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 7d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 7e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 8c-e, B harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 8c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 8d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 8e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 9c-e, B melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 9c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 9d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 9e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 7c-e, 8c-e, 9c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 4 (lines 10c-e, 11c-e, 12c-e):  A MAJOR – F-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 10c-e, A major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 10c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 10d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 10e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 11c-e, F-sharp harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 11c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 11d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 11e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 12c-e, F-sharp melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 12c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 3d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 12e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 10c-e, 11c-e, 12c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 5 (lines 13c-e, 14c-e, 15c-e):  E MAJOR – C-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 13c-e, E major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 13c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 13d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 13e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 14c-e, C-sharp harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 14c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 14d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 14e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 15c-e, C-sharp melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 15c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 15d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 3e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 13c-e, 14c-e, 15c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 6 (lines 16c-e, 17c-e, 18c-e):  B MAJOR – G-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 16c-e, B major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 16c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 16d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 16e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 17c-e, G-sharp harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 17c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 17d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 17e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 18c-e, G-sharp melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 18c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 18d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 18e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 16c-e, 17c-e, 18c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 7 (lines 25c-e, 26c-e, 27c-e):  F MAJOR – D MINOR

  1. Examine lines 25c-e, F major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 25c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 25d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 25e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 26c-e, D harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 26c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 26d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 26e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 27c-e, D melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 27c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 27d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 27e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 25c-e, 26c-e, 27c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 8 (lines 28c-e, 29c-e, 30c-e):  B-FLAT MAJOR – G MINOR

  1. Examine lines 28c-e, B-flat major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 28c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 28d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 28e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 29c-e, G harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 29c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 29d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 29e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 30c-e, G melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 30c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 30d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 30e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 28c-e, 29c-e, 30c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 9 (lines 31c-e, 32c-e, 33c-e):  E-FLAT MAJOR – C MINOR

  1. Examine lines 31c-e, E-flat major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 31c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 31d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 31e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 32c-e, C harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 32c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 32d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 32e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 33c-e, C melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 33c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 33d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 33e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 31c-e, 32c-e, 33c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 10 (lines 34c-e, 35c-e, 36c-e):  A-FLAT MAJOR – F MINOR

  1. Examine lines 34c-e, A-flat major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 34c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 34d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 34e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 35c-e, F harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 35c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 35d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 35e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 36c-e, F melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 36c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 36d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 36e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 34c-e, 35c-e, 36c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 11 (lines 37c-e, 38c-e, 39c-e):  D-FLAT MAJOR – B-FLAT MINOR

  1. Examine lines 37c-e, D-flat major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 37c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 37d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 37e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 38c-e, B-flat harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 38c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 38d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 38e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 39c-e, B-flat melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 39c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 39d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 39e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 37c-e, 38c-e, 39c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

GRADE 6 – LESSON 12 (lines 40c-e, 41c-e, 42c-e):  G-FLAT MAJOR – E-FLAT MINOR

  1. Examine lines 40c-e, G-flat major in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 40c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 40d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 40e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Be careful to observe the correct passing under of the thumbs and crossing over of the third or fourth fingers as with parallel octaves or contrary motion.  
  2. Examine lines 41c-e, E-flat harmonic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 41c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 41d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 41e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 42c-e, E-flat melodic minor in parallel thirds, sixths, tenths. Play line 42c first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Next, play line 42d first with the LH, then RH, then hands together. Finally, play line 42e first with the RH, then LH, then hands together. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 40c-e, 41c-e, 42c-e each played two consecutive times at 72 bpm with metronome at one tick per quarter note.  

EXAM FOR GRADE 6

  1. Play each of the twelve major scales in thirds, sixths, and tenths two times in a row at a slow tempo with the correct fingering. No metronome is needed. 
  2. Play the scales in their correct order of increasing sharps and flats as in Lessons 1-12. 
  3. Before playing each scale, say “This is the __ major scale and it has __ sharps, which are___.” (Name the sharps or flats in the correct order.)
  4. All must be memorized with no sheet music permitted.

Once the Exam for Grade 6 has been completed successfully, you are ready to progress to Grade 7!

START GRADE 7

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