This past year, I challenged myself to have my Level 1 piano students playing every major scale hands together, in “contrary motion” and from memory. Knowing that scales are not always a lesson favorite, I turned this process into a game and a personal challenge for each of my students.
To complete the challenge I needed a fun, visual resource that would help my students correctly practice scales at home while also keeping track of their progress. So I created one!
And what do you know? Mission accomplished! By the time we reached summer holidays, my Level 1 students and I had conquered our challenge. They had all learned to play their major scales from memory, in contrary motion and hands together… and they LOVED it!
So… whenever something works particularly well for me, we share it with you! Today’s printable will get you started on the path to scale success with your Level 1 piano students.
A Printable Pack For Setting “Scale Goals”
The pack of printables we are sharing today (see download instruction below) will inspire your students to “shoot for the stars”… I mean scales. It includes three printables for reinforcing the C Major scale, the G Major scale, and the D Major scale. Follow the instructions below to get started…
- Print out a Major Scale Package for each student.
- Choose a Scale Sheet and send it home to guide effective practice.
- As your students learn each scale, challenge them to learn the scale in contrary motion, learn to play the scale hands together and learn to play the scale from memory.
- Each time your students accomplish one of the tasks above have them color in the star above the corresponding label at the bottom of the Scale Sheet.
- Once the three tasks in Step 4 are completed, your students are ready to move on to the next scale.
- Review often! Review each scale page at the beginning of every lesson, requesting “hands together”, “from memory” or “in contrary motion”.
Notes About Today’s Printable Pack
This printable package provides a visual representation of major scales and the suggested fingering (ascending fingering – reading left to right, descending fingering – reading right to left). The first printable pack we’re sharing today includes C, G, and D Major. Stay tuned for further packages!
Unfamiliar with contrary motion? To play a scale in contrary motion your student begins with both of his thumbs on the tonic of the scale. He then plays the one octave scale (hands together) – LH descending while RH is ascending. Once he reaches the tonic with his “5 fingers” he reverses direction (LH plays an ascending scale and RH plays a descending scale) until his thumbs once again meet on the tonic. This way of playing scales helps to reinforce both fingering and accidentals.
Where To Find This Printable?
Click here or on the image above to access today’s printable. While you’re happily printing, be sure to take a look at our completely re-vamped WunderKeys Piano for Preschoolers books and remember…
We’re in the final stages of prepping our very first WunderKeys Primer-Level method book to be released later this summer! If you haven’t already checked out our three-book preschool piano program, be sure to take a look. The upcoming Primer Book will work as a continuation from WunderKeys Piano For Preschoolers OR as a beginner method book for students ages 5-10.
Join our WunderKeys Facebook group to stay up-to-date on all things WunderKeys (and to enjoy the lovely, collaborative group of over 2600 teachers!) and you’ll be the first to know when the new book is available!
Thank you AGAIN for a spot-on free printable. Scales are the least-practiced in my studio, and you’ve given us a fun way to incentivize it! Also, can’t wait for the Wunderkeys Method Books, we’ve been looking for a transition into our curriculum. Are you MIND READERS??
Hi Kelly – scales were always something I dreaded too as a piano student… they seemed dry and “pointless” (even though they obviously weren’t!). My kiddos really responded to this and loved the idea of “collecting” an entire pack of scales. Plus, they played them with the *correct* fingering while they practiced them at home. Double win! 😉
Great idea to include motivational factor in the practice sheet. I’ve used scale charts before, but I think with stars to color it’ll work even better. Thank you!
Hope your students enjoy them Milla! 🙂
These are great, if your primer books will be covering this, then I can’t wait to buy them!
Hi Amy – this won’t be a primer skill but a Level 1 🙂
I LOVE the idea of using the visual of finger numbers on the keys rather than the notes on the staff. Thank you! I do have a couple of questions: Is “contrary motion” played hand separately? And is “hands together” using contrary or parallel motion?
Thank you for this fabulous resource!
Hi Jennifer! Yes, contrary motion is hands together. Begin with both thumbs on the tonic – a detailed description of how to play it is above in the post. Hands together is in parallel motion Memorized can be both contrary and parallel.
Thanks Andrea!
I had the same question — thanks! I’ve been looking for a fun way to interest my students in playing scales — this looks great!
Thanks for another quick, easy – and printer friendly 😉 – resource! I have the same questions as Jennifer, so I’ll check back for replies to her post. 🙂
Thank you for another great resource! Will you be adding additional scales to the pack? I love the formatting for this scale challenge.
Hi Wendiann – yes, we’ll definitely be adding more scale packs to the collection and each one will have a new picture on the bottom to keep your kiddos interested 🙂
Thanks so much for this idea and post! It must’ve been quite a challenge but an exciting one too! I am looking forward to the rest of your collection 🙂
I LOVE THIS!! I will be using it with my students this school year! Any chance you will be adding more scales?
Yes, absolutely! Watch for more scale packs coming out soon! 🙂
I am just curious…do you have a printable for every scale? I have your 4 packs, so C, G, D, A, E, B, F, B flat, E flat majors, and A E B minor harmonic scales. Do you have anymore? Thank you so much. My kids love this challenge!!!
Looking for more scale packs as I have only C, G & D, especially now that I have to email new scale pages to students
Hi Marci! We have a bunch! https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2018/05/30/12-scale-printables-to-add-to-your-summer-piano-practice-packs/