Scale guide
B minor
In one sentence: B minor shares F# and C# with D major, but its B center changes the color.
RH ↑ blue numbersLH ↑ red numbers
Altered notes in the octave: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A.
Notes
| US notation | Degrees |
|---|---|
| B C# D E F# G A | 1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–♭7 |
B
C#
D
E
F#
G
A
Fingering
| Hand / direction | 1 octave | 2 octaves |
|---|---|---|
| RH ascending | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 |
| LH ascending | 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1 | 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1 |
| RH descending | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 |
| LH descending | 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 |
Practice
The left hand starts with finger 4, not 5. Repeat B–C#–D–E before joining hands.
Musical context
J. S. Bach’s Mass in B minor is a solid historical reference for this key’s focused character.
Guided practice
- Play one octave with each hand, very slowly.
- Name the altered notes before every repetition.
- Join hands only when the crossings are silent.
- End each repetition on B and hear the resting point.
Common mistakes
- Losing an accidental when changing direction.
- Speeding up before the thumb crossing feels settled.
Checklist
- I keep the notes in the table in both directions.
- I follow the one- and two-octave fingerings.
- I can hear B as the scale’s center.