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Lesson 10: The D scale

Discover C sharp, play the D scale with its two black keys, then the beginning of “Joy to the World” starting on D.

What you'll learn

  • Find C sharp at a glance
  • Play the D scale going up and going down
  • Play a song you know starting on a different note
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The lesson, step by step

  1. In the last lesson, you played your first black key, F sharp. Today, you'll discover a second one, C sharp, and play a new scale: the D scale. At the end, you'll play Joy to the World starting on D.
  2. C sharp is the black key just to the right of C: the first one in the group of two black keys. Watch first: we play the two C sharps on the keyboard.
  3. The D scale uses the same fingers as the C scale. Put the thumb of your right hand on the D on the left. D, E and F sharp are played with your thumb, index finger and middle finger. Then your thumb passes under your hand to play G. Watch first.
  4. After the thumb passes under, your index finger plays A, your middle finger B, your ring finger C sharp, and your little finger the D at the top. Here is the whole D scale, going up, with its two black keys. Listen first.
  5. To go back down, little finger on D, then C sharp, B and A, down to your thumb on G. Next, your middle finger crosses over your thumb to play F sharp, then your index finger plays E, and your thumb the last D. Watch first.
  6. Do you remember Joy to the World? It starts with a scale going down. This time, we start on D, with the same rhythm as before: a D that lasts two beats, a slightly long C sharp, a very short B, and an A held for three beats. Then G, F sharp and E, and a long D to finish. Listen first.
  7. The next phrase goes back up. Slide your hand to put your thumb on A. Then your index finger plays two Bs, your middle finger two C sharps, and your ring finger finishes on D. Listen first.
  8. Your song: the beginning of Joy to the World, starting on D. Listen to it once, then follow the falling notes.
  9. Well done, you just played a song you know starting on a different note: this is called transposing. In the next lesson, you'll discover that the black keys have a second name, with the word flat.

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