Hello,

I'm sure this is a very dumb question, but I can't actually find the answer to it anywhere. I've just (less than a week ago) bought a keyboard and I'm trying to teach myself how to play the piano.

I'm learning scales, but what I'd like confirmation of is: When you're doing scales with both hands, are both hands ascending and then descending at the same time? Or is the left-hand ascending while the right descends and vice versa? I'm currently doing it the both up, then both down way, but a friend who just started learning thinks it's the other way? Can anyone help please?

Thanks,

Kirsty

Thanks!

Your friend might be learning contrary motion scales, where both hands start on the same note and the right hand ascends while the left hand descends. Both ways are correct, depending on whether you are asked for similar motion (what you are doing) or contrary motion (what your friend is doing).

Okay then, thanks. In that case am I right in thinking it's a good idea to do scales both ways? Or as a rank beginner should I be concentrating on one or the other?

Many thanks,

Kirsty

If you just want to learn basic scales, I think it's best to stick with your method (both ascending, both descending).
You shouldn't over-complicate things, 'specially not when you've only been playing for a week.

There's enough more stuff to take in, that you shouldn't already occupy yourself with "more advanced" techniques for the moment.

That's great, thanks a lot. I'm sure my mate will be delighted to hear he's more advanced than me! He's been learning for two weeks, me for almost one, and we're comparing notes daily...

theres no such thing as a dumb question, but i have a piano scale book that has both hands assending and desending, then it also has them going apart...