ZJK Scale Etudes: Major No. 1-12
New to the ZJK Scale Etudes? Check out the pieces marked "Composer's Choice".
Click here for the minor Scale Etudes 13-24
Scale Etude No. 1 in C Major
The first of all the Scale Etudes! Scale Etude No. 1 was originally created as a project for a piano pedagogy course. It contains many scales throughout the piece to reinforce the C major scale.
Scale Etude No. 2 in G Major
This piece was written hastily before a class during my college career and has an 'Anna-Magdalana Notebook' feel to it. It was actually made when I realized that Scale Etude No. 1 may not be enough for my class project.
Scale Etude No. 3 in F Major
Scale Etude No. 3 is a delightful little piece and one that readily comes to mind whenever I think of the Scale Etude collection. It also serves well to teach and reinforce Alberti bass.
Scale Etude No. 4 in D Major
Scale Etude No. 4 is a great piece to get used to that D major scale and start getting some different articulations in the left hand accompaniment.
Scale Etude No. 5 in Bb Major
Scale Etude No. 5 is one of the more beautiful pieces in this collection and is a great place to talk about expression and pedal techniques.
Scale Etude No. 6 in A Major
Scale Etude No. 6 really slows down the left hand to focus on fingering and provides a lovely opportunity to talk about dynamics and phrasing in a waltz 3/4 feel
Scale Etude No. 7 in Eb Major
Scale Etude No. 7 provides a very exciting context for playing through the Eb Major scale as well as an opportunity to talk about block chords and voicing.
Scale Etude No. 8 in E Major
Scale Etude No. 8 can take off in a hurry but only if you get that E Major scale fingering in there! It also is a strong example of 6/8 time.
Scale Etude No. 9 in Ab Major
Scale Etude No. 9 is a wonderful stepping stone to get students more comfortable to launch into the established Sonatinas.
Scale Etude No. 10 in B Major
Scale Etude No. 10 - It shouldn’t be possible to forget the B Major scale after studying this piece. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it simply shouldn’t be possible.
Scale Etude No. 11 in Db Major
Scale Etude No. 11 in Db is another one that I’ll find randomly floating through my head, it’s a lovely little piece.
Scale Etude No. 12 in F# Major
Scale Etude No. 12 is a tricky rhythmic task to coordinate the the two hands and was created well-aware that students generally don’t learn the F# Major early on.