If you are like me, when you teach major scales patterns you automatically think “whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.”
And if you’re like me, you just said that in a very specific rhythm, with a pause after “half step.”
Or if you teach with UK terms, you perhaps think “tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone semitone.”
Regardless, when it comes to teaching major scale patterns, it is something that comes very naturally to some students … but is something that many other students struggle with.
In today’s post, I want to share 5 ways I personally teach major scales and wrap up with a super fun music theory game that can help you teach major scales patterns.
How I Teach Major Scales
1) I teach major scales primarily by rote
Because most of my students are not aspiring to be college music majors, I don’t push music theory on them immediately.
I may introduce major scales to students with “here is the pattern it follows.”
But usually my students look at me confused and wide-eyed, so instead, I help them have fun playing scales by finger numbers and rote.
If a student is more inclined to patterns and has the mental capacity to understand more of the theory behind it, I then introduce the steps required for major scales.
Because this is the method I use, I’m excited for a new and easy way to teach major scales patterns with Salamander Scales (but more on that later).
2) I teach students to listen
It isn’t just about learning what finger numbers go where for a major scale.
It is the ability to hear what is a major scale and when an incorrect note is played.
I try to encourage my students to listen as they play their major scales.
Sometimes this means taking several lessons to constantly point out “wrong note” so they can train their ear to hear the wrong notes as well.
3) I teach major scales in the Circle of Fifths
Even if my students haven’t grasped the meaning of the Circle of Fifths (which most of my 8-year-olds haven’t), I still assign scales to them in the Circle of Fifths.
To me, this is a subtle way to train their ear and understanding of the Circle of Fifths.
It is also fun to explain to the student how “each scale adds one sharp/flat” even before they understand the Circle of Fifth.
4) I teach major scale finger numbers by patterns
I like to make major scales the easiest possible for my students to learn.
There are a few patterns I use to help my students understand scale finger numbers.
- Right hand finger numbers for major scales C, G, D, A, E, B are the same (1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5)
- Left hand finger numbers for major scales C, G, D, A, E, F are the same (5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1)
- Right hand 4th finger plays B-flat in major scales F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, D-flat, G-flat
- Left hand 4th note is 4th finger in B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, D-flat major scales
- 3-black notes are played with fingers 2-3-4 (RH and LH) and 2-black notes are played with fingers 2-3 (RH and LH) for B, D-flat, G-flat major scales
Do you have any patterns that you use with your students you’d add to my list?
5) I teach students to have fun with major scales
While I drummed out my major scales (using the MacFarren book with 2-octaves up & down, contrary motion, in 3rds up & down, in 3rd contrary motion, in 6ths up & down, and in 6ths contrary motion), I realize that most of my students don’t have my same idea of “fun” with major scales.
So I like to shake things up and have my students create their own rhythm as they practice scales.
What’s fun is that students can create rhythms based on any word they want (it can be their dog’s name, their favorite food, anything!).
You can also have your students do a mix of staccatos and slurs (the simple two-note slur-staccato or 3-note slur-slur-staccato, etc.).
What fun patterns do you encourage your students to use with scales?
Salamander Scales: A Fun Way to Teach Major Scales Patterns
Salamanders do not have scales, but salamanders can definitely help your students learn scales!
Our music theory game, Salamander Scales, takes your students to a lush river setting influenced by South America to help teach your students major scales (to be specific, Los Llanos grassland plains that are situated to the east of the Andes in Colombia and Venezuela, and Cerrado in Eastern Brazil).
We absolutely love the designs our artists, Emily and Kristen, came up with!
By the time students have played one round of Salamander Scales, they’ll be quoting the major scale patterns easily!
What is Salamander Scales Music Theory Game?
In Salamander Scales, students will collect cards to build major scales and compete to see who can claim the most places on the board and gain the most points.
Salamander Scales can be played by any age student who needs to brush up on their major scales.
We have two versions of this game to fit your scale style:
- Whole steps and half steps
- Tones and semitones
We also have scale guide cards to help your students out if this is the first time they have ever heard “whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.”
Here’s what you’ll get with the Salamander Scales music theory game download:
- Salamander Scales game in 3 sizes: US letter, A4, A3
- Salamander Scales game board
- US terms: whole step cards & half step cards
- UK terms: tones and semitones cards
- 8 different salamander game “claim” pieces
- Salamander Scales success poster
- Salamander Scales activity sheet in 3 sizes: US Letter, A4, A3
- Print release
- Bonus Salamander Scales group game board (18 x 24”)
Get Salamander Scales music theory game here.
How to Play Salamander Scales Music Theory Game
The gameplay for Salamander Scales is simple but very fun.
Students collect cards to see who can get the major scale pattern first and race to claim the most spots on the board.
But there’s a slight catch – at the end, whoever has the longest salamander trail gets bonus points!
In my mind, it’s a mix of Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan (both games I recommend!).
See how it’s played in the video!
- A complete breakdown of what you get in the music game download
- A step-by-step tutorial for how to play the game
- A few teaching tips and suggestions
Don’t see the video above? Watch How to Play Salamander Scales on YouTube here.
Play Salamander Scales in Group Lessons
You will get 8 different salamanders in the game download. There are only 9 spaces to claim, so it’s a pretty stiff competition with 8 players!
A few of the gameplay rules are different when you’re playing with 4-8 players than 1-3 players, but it is easy to adapt for group lessons.
We provide a bonus poster-sized game board option that you can bring to your local print shop and get a larger board for students to crowd around.
Salamander Scales is easily played with 2 students or 8.
Salamander Scales Music Game Success Poster
We believe celebrating music theory game wins with a success poster will build student rapport!
The students have a goal to work toward (taking a picture with the success poster) and you can send the picture to the parents as a way to showcase what their child has achieved during lessons.
It’s a win-win!
These also give you great material for social media posts (be sure to tag @musicgameclub so we can celebrate with your kiddos!).
Salamander Scales Music Theory Activity Sheet
Once the student has completed Salamander Scales music theory game, you can further help them solidify their music theory knowledge with the activity sheet.
We have two levels of Salamander Scales activity sheets:
- Beginner students have to identify which salamanders have the correct major scales patterns
- Advanced students can write major scales of the teacher’s choice
This is a great send-home activity to reinforce the theory concepts after your students have played the game.
Want Salamander Scales music game to help teach major scales patterns?
Salamander Scales was Music Game Club’s August 2023 membership music theory game. Anyone can now get Salamander Scales in the shop here.
You’ll always receive:
- A monthly music game (formatted in 3 sizes: US Letter, A4, A3)
- Exclusive Music Game Club membership emails
- Video tutorials
- Themed success posters to go with the monthly game
- Bonus activity review sheet
The membership is only $15/month and you did read all of the above correctly.
You get so much that will help you boost student morale and make you a favorite music teacher this year.
You won’t lose the momentum and excitement all year!
Your students will start anticipating the first of every month to see what new game you will thrill them with!
Comment and share!
What are your favorite methods in teaching students major scale patterns? At what age do you begin teaching major scales?
Let us know in the comments below.
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