ABRSM Grade 6 Piano Scales & Arpeggios
All 36 scales and arpeggios for ABRSM Grade 6 piano (2025–2028 syllabus): 22 scales and 14 arpeggios across 8 keys. Practise each one with the right range, hands and fingering, and tick it off when it's ready.
Scales
4 octaves · hands together · legato or staccato (examiner's choice)
- D major
- F major
- A♭ major
- B major
- D minor (harmonic)
- D minor (melodic)
- F minor (harmonic)
- F minor (melodic)
- G♯ minor (harmonic)
- G♯ minor (melodic)
- B minor (harmonic)
- B minor (melodic)
Contrary-motion scales
2 octaves · hands starting on the same note
- D major
- F major
- A♭ major
- B major
- D minor (harmonic)
- F minor (harmonic)
- G♯ minor (harmonic)
- B minor (harmonic)
Chromatic scales
4 octaves · hands together · legato or staccato (examiner's choice)
- Starting on G♯
- Starting on B
Arpeggios
4 octaves · hands together · root position
- D major
- F major
- A♭ major
- B major
- D minor
- F minor
- G♯ minor
- B minor
Dominant sevenths
4 octaves · hands together · resolving on the tonic
- In the key of D major
- In the key of F major
- In the key of A♭ major
- In the key of B major
Diminished sevenths
4 octaves · hands together
- Starting on G♯
- Starting on B
In the exam
Everything is played from memory, in even notes and without pedal. Where it says legato or staccato, the examiner chooses — so practise both. The examiner asks for a key (and which hand, when it's hands separately) and will usually ask for at least one of each type. For hands together the hands play an octave apart, and you can start in any octave as long as you cover the range. Any fingering that works is accepted — the standard fingering shown in the player is a safe choice.
Minor scales are needed in both the harmonic and the melodic form — they're listed separately above. Dominant sevenths must finish by resolving on the tonic.
The speeds are ABRSM's general guide and are counted in quavers. Practise slowly and evenly first, then use the speed trainer to work up to the guide speed.
Requirements checked against ABRSM's Piano Practical Grades syllabus for 2025 & 2026 and 2027 & 2028 (the scales are the same in both). Music Scale isn't affiliated with ABRSM — always check the official syllabus before your exam.