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6. Major-to-minor scale arpeggio exercise

1 One way to practise scales is to alternate major and minor scales while simultaneously moving down the keyboard from right to left. Here’s an exercise that does just that. Starting from the C above middle C, play a one-octave C major scale up and down the keyboard, using the fingering 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1, 3-2-1.

2 When you’re back on the C you started on, don’t stop there – continue down another two notes, through B, to land on A. Do this by crossing over your thumb while on C and landing on the B with your index or middle finger, before shifting your thumb onto the A. From there, you’re poised for a one-octave A minor scale, so go ahead ( A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A)!

3 Having completed the A minor scale, keep descending through G to F (crossing over the thumb) and play an F major scale ( F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F). Continue dropping down a couple of notes each time, until you’re at the bottom. You can alternate between major and minor scales like this, or play all major or all minor scales in one pass to vary things up a little.