GRADE 9

Complete Guide to Major & Minor Scales (Volume 3)

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TO TEACHERS & STUDENTS: The objective of Grade 9 is to learn the 12 major and parallel minor scales (harmonic and melodic) in double sixths played one octave in parallel and contrary motion at a slow tempo. Grade 9 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 9

GRADE 9 – LESSON 1 (lines 1a-b, 2a-b, 3a-b):  C MAJOR – C MINOR

  1. Examine lines 1a-b, C major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play C major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to 1-4 in the RH ascending and 4-1 in the LH descending which crosses over 2-5 (5-2) a total of three times, the last time being a convenience fingering (1-4 – 4-1 instead of 1-3 – 3-1). This is done by releasing 2 before 5 then flipping 1-4 (4-1) over 5 which functions as a pivot finger. Similarly, going in the opposite direction (RH descending, LH ascending), 2-5 (5-2) crosses over 1-4 (4-1) a total of three times. This is done by releasing 4 then flipping 2-5 (5-2) over 1 which functions as a pivot finger. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 2a-b, C harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play C harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the B-natural when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 3a-b, C melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play C melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the A-B when ascending and Bb-Ab when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 1a-b, 2a-b, 3a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 2 (lines 4a-b, 5a-b, 6a-b):  D-FLAT MAJOR – C-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 4a-b, D-flat major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play D-flat major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 5a-b, C-sharp harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play C-sharp harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the B# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 6a-b, which shows C-sharp melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play C-sharp melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the A#-B# when ascending and B-A when descending. Notice that the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 4a-b, 5a-b, 6a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 3 (lines 7a-b, 8a-b, 9a-b):  D MAJOR – D MINOR

  1. Examine lines 7a-b, D major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play D major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 8a-b, D harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play D harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the C# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 9a-b, D melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play D melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the B-C# when ascending and C-Bb when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 7a-b, 8a-b, 9a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 4 (lines 10a-b, 11a-b, 12a-b):  E-FLAT MAJOR – E-FLAT MINOR

  1. Examine lines 10a-b, E-flat major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E-flat major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 11a-b, E-flat harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E-flat harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 12a-b, E-flat melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E-flat melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the C-D when ascending and Eb-Db when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 10a-b, 11a-b, 12a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 5 (lines 13a-b, 14a-b, 15a-b):  E MAJOR – E MINOR

  1. Examine lines 13a-b, E major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E major once octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 14a-b, E harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the D# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 15a-b, E melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play E melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the C#-D# when ascending and D-C when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 13a-b, 14a-b, 15a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 6 (lines 16a-b, 17a-b, 18a-b):  F MAJOR – F MINOR

  1. Examine lines 16a-b, F major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play F major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 17a-b, F harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play F harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the E-natural when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 18a-b, F melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play F melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the D-E when ascending and Eb-Db when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 16a-b, 17a-b, 18a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 7 (lines 19a-b, 20a-b, 21a-b):  G-FLAT MAJOR – F-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 19a-b, G-flat major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G-flat major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 20a-b, F-sharp harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play F-sharp harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the E# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 21a-b, F-sharp melodic minor in double sixths parallel and contrary motion. Play F-sharp melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the D#-E# when ascending and E-D when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 19a-b, 20a-b, 21a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 8 (lines 22a-b, 23a-b, 24a-b):  G MAJOR – G MINOR

  1. Examine lines 22a-b, G major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 23a-b, G harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the F# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 24a-b, G melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the E-F# when ascending and F-Eb when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 22a-b, 23a-b, 24a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 9 (lines 25a-b, 26a-b, 27a-b):  A-FLAT MAJOR – G-SHARP MINOR

  1. Examine lines 25a-b, A-flat major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play A-flat major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 26a-b, G-sharp harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G-sharp harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the F-double sharp (Fx) when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 27a-b, G-sharp melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play G-sharp melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the E#-Fx when ascending and F#-E when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 25a-b, 26a-b, 27a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 10 (lines 28a-b, 29a-b, 30a-b):  A MAJOR – A MINOR

  1. Examine lines 28a-b, A major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play A major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 29a-b, A harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play A harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the G# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 30a-b, A melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play A melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the F#-G# when ascending and G-F when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 28a-b, 29a-b, 30a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 11 (lines 31a-b, 32a-b, 33a-b):  B-FLAT MAJOR – B-FLAT MINOR

  1. Examine lines 31a-b, B-flat major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B-flat major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 32a-b, B-flat harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B-flat harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the A-natural when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 33a-b, B-flat melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B-flat melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the G-A when ascending and Ab-Gb when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 31a-b, 32a-b, 33a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

GRADE 9 – LESSON 12 (lines 34a-b, 35a-b, 36a-b):  B MAJOR – B MINOR

  1. Examine lines 34a-b, B major in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B major one octave hands alone then together, giving special attention to the efficient crossing over of the finger pairs as explained in Lesson 1. Even though slight breaks are unavoidable when crossing over finger pairs or playing the thumb multiple times in a row, the scales should otherwise be played fully legato. Notice when in parallel motion the fingering is symmetrical or mirrored.
  2. Examine lines 35a-b, B harmonic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B harmonic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the A# when ascending and descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  3. Examine lines 36a-b, B melodic minor in double sixths in parallel and contrary motion. Play B melodic minor hands alone then together, giving the same attention to the efficient crossing over of finger pairs. Beware of the G#-A# when ascending and A-G when descending. Notice the fingering has not changed.
  4. Review lines 34a-b, 35a-b, 36a-b each played two consecutive times with metronome at 54 bpm per quarter note.  

EXAM FOR GRADE 9

  1. Play each of the twelve major and parallel minor scales (harmonic, melodic) one octave in double sixths each two times in a row at a slow tempo with the correct fingering. No metronome is needed. 
  2. Play the scales in ascending chromatic order as in Lessons 1-12. 
  3. Before playing each scale, say “This is the __ major (minor) 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 9 has been completed successfully, you are ready to progress to Grade 11!

START GRADE 10

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