Now, come back in until both thumbs are back on C. Place both thumbs on middle C, then slowly work your way outwards until you hit your outside fingers.

If we want to play this in contrary motion, our left and right hands will need to start on the same note and move away from each other. Repeat a few times to get your fingers warmed up, and try it in your left hand on the low C. Start by playing middle C, then play each note until you get up to G, then play each note back down to middle C. (Finger 1 on middle C, finger 2 on D, finger 3 on E, finger 4 on F, and finger 5 on G.) To play a C major pentascale, place your right hand on the piano in the standard five finger position. Ready to gain the benefits of practicing contrary motion scales? Let’s jump in with the easiest one: the pentascale, or five-finger scale. Tucking your fingers with both hands and moving in different directions will take your coordination to new heights, not to mention helping you understand the scale a lot more thoroughly. By playing different notes with each hand, you’ll get a chance to clearly hear the notes that each hand is playing, which will improve your hand independence.

In addition, this type of scale improves your technique in powerful ways. They’re a little easier to understand than a parallel motion scale because you’re crossing or tucking your fingers at the same time in both hands. In fact, if you’re a beginner pianist, you should start learning this type of scales first. Does that mean they are a waste of time to learn? Absolutely not!

Why It's ImportantĬontrary motion scales look complicated and sound kind of weird. Your hands are moving contrary, or opposite, to each other-like a mirror image. Your hands will start on the tonic note of the scale, then move away from each other until you reach the tonic note again, then you’ll come back together. Parallel motion scales travel in the same direction, but your two hands won’t run into each other.Ĭontrary motion basically is the reverse. If you remember from geometry class, parallel lines travel in the same direction, but never intersect. What does a contrary motion scale look like?įirst, we need to understand what parallel motion means. Want to learn more about music theory? Learn why scales are important and the difference between major and minor scales. As a beginner piano player, do you need to practice contrary motion scales? The answer is yes! I’m going to show you why they’ll improve your hand independence and technique, making you a better piano player right away.

D flat major piano scale