The course › Unit 9: Scales and technique
Lesson 52 of 72 · A B♭, a key signature with one flat, and a fingering of its own
Same method as with G: the formula W W H W W W H, starting on F. F, G, A… and here, between A and B, there’s a whole step, but you need a half step; and between B and C, you need a whole step. So you lower the B: B♭.
The F major scale: F G A B♭ C D E F.
F major in the right hand: 1-2-3-4, then 1-2-3-4.
Careful, the right-hand fingering changes: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. The thumb passes under after finger 4, from B♭ to C. With the C fingering, it would land on B♭, and in scales the thumb, shorter than your other fingers, stays off the black keys. The left hand keeps the C fingering: 5-4-3-2-1, 3-2-1.
The thumb passes under after finger 4 (B♭ → C). Coming down, finger 4 crosses over the thumb, from C to B♭.
Just like G major, the accidental is written only once, in the key signature: a flat on the B line. Every B becomes a B♭. A key signature with one flat means the key of F major.
In the treble clef, the flat of the key signature sits on the 3rd line, the B line.
In the bass clef, it sits on the 2nd line (B).
Did you know?: Sharps are always added to the key signature in the same order: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Flats go in the reverse order: B, E, A, D, G, C, F. That’s why the first sharp key signature has an F♯, and the first flat one a B♭.
Why this way: A few minutes of scales every day beats an hour once a week: that’s spaced repetition, the idea behind your daily practice. In the end, the fingerings become automatic.
The left hand keeps the C fingering: 5-4-3-2-1, finger 3 crosses over the thumb, 3-2-1. Every B is a B♭!
With the key signature of F major, every B is a B♭. Watch out: one question hides the key signature of G major!
Ode to Joy in F major: listen to how the B♭ changes its color. The key signature has one flat. Your old friend, transposed to F: thumb on F, and B♭ under finger 4. The computer plays F and C7, the V7 chord of F major.
← Lesson 51: The G major scale Lesson 53: The A minor scale →