KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS

The HDpiano Handbook

A supplement for the video

resource at HDpiano.com
 Click on a key to navigate to the corresponding page:
Find the four chords of pop in any key by mentally moving the blue shape around the circle.

= Number of Flats
= Number of Sharps

2 2
3 3

4 1 1 4

5 5

(LH) (RH)

Left Right
Hand Hand

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys TABLE OF CONTENTS | i

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S C M A JO R

C M A JO R SC A LE
= C MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

This scale may use only white notes, but watch out – that means it’s easier for your fingers to lose their footing.
The fingering pattern is the same for both hands in G, D, A and E Major, and the left hand is the same for F as well.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S A N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= A MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
C

A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A
ii LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

Dm Try changing the G to a G for harmonic minor. Add an F as well and you’ll be playing
melodic minor. Luckily the fingering won’t change.

iii
Em V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
F C

vi
V Am
G

IV
F
vi
Am
V
G

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
B O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys C MAJOR | 1

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S D M A JO R

D M A JO R SC A LE
= D MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2

D E G A B D E G A B D

F C F C
LH: 3 2
1
4 3 2
1
3 2
1
4 3 2
1
3

Notice that the thumbs always play together in this scale. You can play the top D in your LH with your 2nd finger
if you’re turning back around, or keep it consistent and play with your 3rd finger.
*This key is identical to the enharmonic C Major, though all note spellings would change.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S B N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= B MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

I
D B D E G A B D E G A B

C F C F
LH: 2 3 2 4 3 2 4 2 4 3 2
ii 1 1 1 1

Em Same fingering note-for-note as the D Major scale. That means the thumbs also play
together. Harmonic Minor: A to A. Melodic Minor: G to G, A to A.

iii
Fm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
G D

vi
V Bm
A

IV
G
vi
Bm
V
A

vii O

Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
C O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys D MAJOR | 2

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S D M A JO R

D M A JO R SC A LE
= D MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

F C F C

D E G A B D E G A B D
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

The fingering pattern is the same for both hands in C, G, A and E Major, and the left hand is the same for F as well.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S B N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= B MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1
2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
D C F C F

B D E G A B D E G A B
LH: 3 2 4 3 3 2 4 3
ii 4 1 2 1 1 2 1

Em Different fingering than D Major, but same as B Major. The thumbs play together
on interior notes. Harmonic Minor: A to A . Melodic Minor: G to G , A to A .

iii
Fm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
G D

vi
V Bm
A

IV
G
vi
Bm
V
A

vii O

Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
C O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys D MAJOR | 3

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S E M A JO R

E M A JO R SC A LE
= E MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

E A B E A B E

F G C D F G C D
LH: 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

Both hands start and end with the 3rd finger in this scale.
The LH fingering pattern is the same for B , A , and D .
The RH fingering pattern is the same for A .

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S C N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= C MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
E E A B E A B

C D F G C D F G C
LH: 4 3 1 3 2 4 3 1 3 2
ii 5 2 1 2 1

Fm This fingering pattern is different from the relative major, but the same as the parallel
C Major scale. Harmonic Minor: B to B. Melodic Minor: A to A, B to B.

iii
Gm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
A E

vi
V Cm
B

IV
A
vi
Cm
V
B

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
D O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys E MAJOR | 4

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S E M A JO R

E M A JO R SC A LE
= E MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

F G C D F G C D

E A B E A B E
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

The fingering pattern is the same for both hands in C, G, D and A Major, and the left hand is the same for F as well.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S C N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= C MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

I
E C D F G C D F G C

E A B E A B
3 2 1 4 3 2 3 2 1 4 3 2 3
ii LH: 1 1

Fm You can start your RH with (2,3) instead of (3,4) for comfort. The note-for-note fingering
is the same as E Major. Harmonic Minor: B to B . Melodic Minor: A to A , B to B .

iii
Gm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
A E

vi
V Cm
B

IV
A
vi
Cm
V
B

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
D O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys E MAJOR | 5

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S F M A JO R

F M A JO R SC A LE
=F MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

B B

F G A C D E F G A C D E F
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

The LH fingering pattern is the same for C, G, D, A and E Major.

On interior notes, the thumbs play together.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S D N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= D MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
F B B

D E F G A C D E F G A C D
ii LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

Gm LH fingering is the same as the F Major scale. RH fingering is the same as the C, G, D,
A and E Major group. Harmonic Minor: C to C . Melodic Minor: B to B, C to C .

iii
Am V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
B F

vi
V Dm
C

IV
B
vi
Dm
V
C

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
E O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys F MAJOR | 6

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S F M A JO R

F M A JO R SC A LE
= F MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2

F G A C D F G A C D F

B E B E
LH: 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2

LH fingering is the same as B (or C ) Major. Thumbs play together on this scale.
F major is enharmonically equivalent to G major, on the next page.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S D N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= D MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

I
F D F G A C D F G A C D

E B E B
2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2
ii LH:
Gm Note-for-note, the fingering is the same as F Major, thumbs together.
Harmonic Minor: C to C (D). Melodic Minor: B to B , C to C .

iii
Am V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
B F

vi
V Dm
C

IV
B
vi
Dm
V
C

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
E O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys F MAJOR | 7

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S G M A JO R

G M A JO R SC A LE
= G MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2

G A B D E G A B D E G

C F C F
LH: 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2

Thumbs play together on this scale. G Major is enharmonically

equivalent to F Major, on the previous page.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S E N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= E MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 3 12 3 4 1 2 3 12 3 4 1 2 3

I
G E G A B D E G A B D E

F C F C
LH: 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 3 3 2
ii 1 4 2 1

Am Note-for-note, the fingering is the same as G Major, thumbs together.

Harmonic Minor: D to D. Melodic Minor: C to C, D to D.

iii
Bm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
C G

vi
V Em
D

IV
C
vi
Em
V
D

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
F O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys G MAJOR | 8

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S G M A JO R

G M A JO R SC A LE
= G MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

F F

G A B C D E G A B C D E G
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

The fingering pattern is the same for both hands in C, D, A and E Major, and the left hand is the same for F as well.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S E N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= E MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
G F F

E G A B C D E G A B C D E
LH: 4 3 4 3
ii 5 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 3 2 1

Am Fingering pattern is the same as the G Major scale in both hands.

For Harmonic Minor: D to D . For Melodic Minor: C to C , D to D .

iii
Bm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
C G

vi
V Em
D

IV
C
vi
Em
V
D

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
F O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys G MAJOR | 9

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S A M A JO R

A M A JO R SC A LE
= A MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

A B D E A B D E A

C F G C F G
LH: 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

LH fingering pattern is the same as D Major. RH fingering matches D Major note-for-note.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S F N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= F MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

I
A A B D E A B D E

F G C F G C F
LH: 4 3 2 1 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2
ii 5 1 1

Bm Fingering pattern is the same as F Major. Thumbs play together.

For Harmonic Minor: E to E. For Melodic Minor: D to D, E to E.

iii
Cm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
D A

vi
V Fm
E

IV
D
vi
Fm
V
E

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
G O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys A MAJOR | 10

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S A M A JO R

A M A JO R SC A LE
=A MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

C F G C F G

A B D E A B D E A
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

The fingering pattern is the same for both hands in C, G, D and E Major, and the left hand is the same for F as well.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S F N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= F MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

I
A F G C F G C F

A B D E A B D E
LH: 4 3 2 3 2 4 3 2 3 2 4
ii 1 1 1 1

Bm RH is same as A Major note for note. LH has the same pattern as F Major.
For Harmonic Minor: E to E . For Melodic Minor: D to D , E to E .

iii
Cm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
D A

vi
V Fm
E

IV
D
vi
Fm
V
E

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
G O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys A MAJOR | 11

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S B M A JO R

B M A JO R SC A LE
= B MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

B E B E B

C D F G A C D F G A
LH: 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3

Fingering pattern for left hand is the same as A and E on interior notes.
RH can start and LH can end on 2nd finger if it’s more comfortable.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S G N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= G MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

I
B B E B E

G A C D F G A C D F G
LH: 4 3 1 3 4 3 1 3
ii 5 2 2 1 2 2 1

Cm Both hands share the same fingering pattern as the G Major scale.
For Harmonic Minor: F to F . For Melodic Minor: E to E, F to F .

iii
Dm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
E B

vi
V Gm
F

IV
E
vi
Gm
V
F

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
A O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys B MAJOR | 12

 K E Y S IG N A T U R E E S S E N T IA L S B M A JO R

B M A JO R SC A LE
= B MAJOR PENTATONIC

RH: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

C D F G A C D F G A

B E B E B
LH: 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1

The thumbs play together on interior notes in this scale.

RH shares the same fingering pattern as the C, G, D, A, and E Major group.
*This key is identical to the enharmonic C Major, though all note spellings would change.

R O O T P O S IT IO N D IA T O N IC T R IA D S G N A T U R A L M IN O R S C A L E
= G MINOR PENTATONIC
= 1ST INVERSION = 2ND INVERSION
RH: 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3

I
B G A C D F G A C D F G

B E B E
3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3
ii LH:
Cm Both hands share the same fingering as the B Major scale note-for-note.
For Harmonic Minor: F to F (G). F or Melodic Minor: E to E , F to F .

iii
Dm V O IC E L E A D IN G : 4 C H O R D S O F P O P
FROM ROOT POSITION FROM 1ST INVERSION FROM 2ND INVERSION

IV
I
E B

vi
V Gm
F

IV
E
vi
Gm
V
F

vii
Now practice voice leading with some alternative progressions (below) and accompaniment
A O

styles from the video. You could even incorporate ii or iii for a little extra variety.

vi IV I V IV I vi V I IV vi V IV vi I V

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys B MAJOR | 13

G LO SSA RY
You can use this glossary to brush up on some of the terms you might encounter
throughout the video resource at HDpiano.com or in this document.

ARPEGGIO: Adjacent chord tones played in quick succession, up or down the keyboard.

BPM: Beats-per-minute, used to indicate tempo or speed.

CHORD: A collection of notes played together, usually derived from a particular scale or tonality.

CIRCLE OF FIFTHS: The distribution of all twelve keys in a circle so that every consecutive pitch is a perfect
fifth (seven half steps) above the last (when moving clockwise). In this order, only one note changes at a
time from one tonality to the next.

DIATONIC: Harmony or melody derived from the seven notes of the predominant tonality, most often the
major scale.

FLAT ( ): A symbol used to indicate lowering a tone by a half step (semi-tone).

HARMONY: The functional relationship of chords, melodies, and tonal centers in a piece of music.

INVERSION: A re-ordering of the notes in a chord so that each note of the chord moves up or down to the
next available chord tone. For chords less than one octave, this is easily achieved by moving an exterior
note by one octave to the other side of the chord, up or down.

KEY SIGNATURE: A collection of sharps or flats used to indicate the tonal center of a piece of music.

MAJOR SCALE: A pillar of Western harmony, the major scale is a seven-note scale comprised of the
following intervals: W, W, H, W, W, W, H. (W: Whole Step, H: Half Step).

PARALLEL (SCALE): Generally used to refer to a scale starting from the same root. The parallel major of
A Minor is A Major, as opposed to the relative major which is C Major.

PENTATONIC SCALE: A five-note scale derived from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of the major scale.

PROGRESSION: An arrangement or order of chords, often seen in loops of 4 or 8 measures.

RELATIVE MINOR: A darker, ‘sister’ tonality with a root three half steps (a minor third) below the root of a
major tonality. Playing a scale from the relative minor (using the same notes as the major scale but starting
on the major scale’s 6th degree), yields the Natural Minor Scale.

SHARP ( ): A symbol used to indicate raising a tone by a half step (semi-tone).

STEP: An ascending or descending shift in pitch to a neighboring note. A half step is the smallest possible
interval on the keyboard, while a whole step is two half steps.

TRIAD: A three-note chord comprised of the root, 3rd, and 5th.

VOICE LEADING: The intentional use of inversions and register to connect successive chords
via shared chord tones.

KEY SIGNATURE ESSENTIALS | HDpiano.com/12-keys GLOSSARY | 14