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Learn Piano Music Scales
There are only 12 scales on the piano and only 7 notes for each music scale. The 8th note of the scale is a repeat of the 1st. A music scale is simply an arbitrary selection (following a little pattern) of 7 notes out of 12 different notes (one octave) available on the piano. This is the basis of our music.
You do not have to play the music scales, just learn them. That's only 84 little pieces of information. Surely you can handle that.
MUSIC SCALES FOR HYMNS
With Scale Degree Numbers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
D E F# G A B C# D
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
E F# G# A B C# D# E
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
F G A Bb C D E F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
G A B C D E F# G
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A B C# D E F# G# A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
B C# D# E F# G# A# B
The lower case b means flat. The # symbol means sharp.
These are also called keys. The first scale degree note is called the keynote or root. There are lots of other music scales but this is what you use for hymns and the chords used in hymns. You only need the twelve piano music scales (keys) listed above.
When I say learn the music scales, here is what I mean. If I ask you what is the 4th scale degree note in the music scale of Bb you should be able to tell me Eb. Or what is the 3rd note of the Ab scale you should be able to say C. And so on for all the notes. Even if you don't memorize all the notes, you must be able to play and count (from memory) on the piano with one finger the notes of the scales.
You have to learn this because we are going to use chords to play the hymns and chords are built from the scales.
Also, you must know the scales to be able to transpose. Hymns will probably not be in the key that you need and you will have to transpose to a different key.
Keys Found in Hymnals
There are three music scales that have two names, but the notes on the piano are the same. Db can also be C#, Gb can also be F#, B can also be Cb. These are called Enharmonic. They are written differently as to notation but use the same keys on the piano.
I don't think I ever saw a hymn in the key of B or Cb or C# or F#. The key of E is used but rare. All the other keys are found in hymnals. As a keynote in hymnals Db is used instead of C# and Gb is used instead of F#. You will use B only when transposing to the key of B. And E is used mostly by transposing to E.
Learn the music scales using the list above.