Today I'm going to teach you about the A Flat Minor melodic scale. This scale is a little different from the others that I've taught you so far because it has a different set of notes coming down that it does going up. With that in mind let's look at what those notes are. The upswing is A flat, B flat, C flat, D flat, E flat, F, G, and A flat. Coming down the notes are G flat, F flat, E flat, D flat, C flat, B flat, and A flat.
To finger this scale with your right hand, start with your second finger on the A flat and hit the B flat with your third finger. From there, move your thumb under to C flat. Use your second and third fingers to hit the D flat and E flat, then bring your thumb under to hit the F. Finish with your second and third fingers on the G and A flat. Coming down is different this time because we have different notes on the way down, but the pattern is the same. Hit the G flat with your second finger and the F flat with your thumb. Move your third finger over to the E flat. Play down until your thumb hits the C flat, then move your third finger over to B flat. Finish with your second finger back at the A flat.
Start off the left hand fingering with the third finger on the A flat. When your thumb hits the C flat, cross your fourth finger over to D flat. Play until your thumb hits the G, then move your second finger over to hit the A flat. Coming down is a bit different. Instead of coming back down with your thumb, hit the G flat with your third finger. Now bring your thumb under to F flat and continue until your third finger hits the D flat. From there move your thumb under to hit the C flat and continue on down with your third finger finishing on A flat.
This one is a little more complex than some of the other scales, so be sure to practice it until you can get both the ascending and descending patterns correct.
For a complete list of scales available please check out the Piano Scales section of PianoLessons.com.
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