ABRSM Initial Grade Piano Scales & Arpeggios
All 5 scales and arpeggios for ABRSM Initial Grade piano (2025–2028 syllabus): 3 scales and 2 arpeggios across 2 keys. Practise each one with the right range, hands and fingering, and tick it off when it's ready.
ABRSM Initial Grade at a glance
- Scales: C major; D minor
- Contrary-motion scales: C major
- Arpeggios: C major; D minor
Scales
1 octave · hands separately · minors: natural, harmonic or melodic
- C major
- D minor
Contrary-motion scales
up to the 5th and back · hands starting on the same note
- C major
Arpeggios
up to the 5th and back · hands separately
- C major
- D minor
In the exam
Everything is played from memory, in even notes and without pedal, and legato. At Initial Grade the examiner usually asks for all five, in the order listed, and says which hand to use. 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.
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.