How Important Is It to Practice Scales When Learning Piano?

I get asked this question a lot, and my answer is always the same:

Very!

Scales might not be the most exciting thing to sit down and play, but they are absolutely essential when it comes to learning the piano. It’s something I always include in my lessons, no matter what style a student wants to learn.

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Why Scales Matter More Than You Think

It doesn’t matter whether you want to play classical, blues, jazz, or boogie woogie—scales are the foundation that everything is built on.

They help you:

• Understand the keyboard
• Improve finger control
• Build speed and accuracy
• Develop muscle memory

In short, they make everything else easier.

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“But Some Great Players Didn’t Practice Scales…”

You’ll sometimes hear people say that certain great players never practised scales or weren’t classically trained.

And yes—that’s true.

But they’re the exception, not the rule.

For the other 99% of us, skipping scales will almost certainly slow your progress and limit what you can do.

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My Own Experience

I was classically trained, but these days I spend most of my time playing blues and boogie woogie.

If I hadn’t spent years practising scales and classical pieces, there’s no way I’d be able to play the way I do now.

Now, I’m no Jools Holland—but I can more than hold my own, and I’m happy with the level I’ve reached. All that time spent on scales has paid off for the styles I enjoy playing today.

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Building Finger Strength and Dexterity

The piano is one of the most demanding instruments when it comes to finger dexterity.

To play well, you don’t just need “good” control—you need excellent control.

If you’re naturally dexterous, that’s a big advantage. But for most people, it has to be developed over time.

And that’s exactly what scales do.

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Why Your Fingers Need Training

When you first start learning piano, you’ll probably notice your hands and fingers aching—especially if you practise regularly.

That’s completely normal.

Playing the piano puts a lot of demand on your fingers, and they need to become:

• Stronger
• Faster
• More flexible

Practising scales is one of the most effective ways to build all three.

Yes, you can develop this without scales—but it will likely take much longer and be far less efficient.

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Think of It Like Training for Sport

Imagine an athlete preparing for a competition.

They don’t just turn up on the day and hope for the best—they train consistently to build strength, speed, and endurance.

Learning piano is no different.

If you don’t train your fingers properly, you’ll always be limited in what you can play.

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A Real-Life Example

I remember being in a music shop a few years ago, just passing time, playing a bit of blues or boogie woogie on one of the pianos.

Someone nearby was watching closely and eventually came over. He told me he’d always wanted to play boogie woogie and asked me to show him a few things.

I explained the left-hand patterns and a few right-hand ideas, but he struggled—his fingers just weren’t strong or quick enough.

When I asked how long he’d been playing, he said around 10 years, on and off. He was self-taught and mainly played jazz.

When he played for me, it was clear he knew his way around the piano—but he relied heavily on chords. Fast single-note runs were where he struggled.

When he asked how I could play them so quickly, I told him the truth:

Years of practising scales.

He immediately realised what he’d missed and admitted he wished he’d spent more time on them.

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Start Early (Or Start Now)

The reality is, if you don’t build the habit of practising scales early on, it becomes much harder to start later.

But that doesn’t mean it’s too late.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve been playing for years:

Start now.

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Final Thoughts

Scales might not be the most exciting part of learning piano—but they are one of the most important.

They build the technique, strength, and control you need to actually play the music you love.

So crack open that scales book and get started.

You might not enjoy it straight away…

…but you’ll definitely thank yourself later.

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