One solution to your problem with the black keys:How are you playing them? Are your fingers curved when you play the black keys, or are they more open?
When playing black keys, it's a good idea to open the finger to extend to the key rather than move the whole arm. It's a quicker, smaller, and more precise movement. Plus, there's the advantage of getting a better grip on the key.
About that B major scale, try doing a wrist swivel. See if you can keep the elbow quiet, but swivel your wrist so that your 4th finger gets a good chance at that F#.
Chopin guy has given you good advice for the B major scale. As for Greensleves, by all means ask for assistance with the fingering.
For scales, or any such passage, the movements are dictated by the music while still observing human anatomy. That is, when the passage is fast, movements will be small, whereas when the passage is slow, movements can be a bit larger. For a RH descending scale (or LH ascending scale), when going from finger 1 to 3 (or 4), I play the thumb by rotating the hand so that the thumb hits the key while it is itself held fairly rigid. I rarely move the thumb from its joint, which is a very inefficient and unnatural movement. Then, when going on to finger 3 (or 4), I keep rotating the hand around the thumb (still on the key) while moving the elbow outwards. This places fingers 3 or 4 directly above the appropriate key. All I have to do is drop the hand and go on with my scale. Of course, the wrist is constantly moving up and down a bit (Czerny would kick me out).Try it.
Finally, no question is too simple. In fact, the seemingly simple questions are often the most important ones. Your question has far-reaching implications and as such is in fact not a simple question at all. It is actually a very complicated question.
When I practise scales, etc. I always practise my left hand a lot more than my right hand. Since you are right handed it is a lot easier to play with your right hand, the left hand tends to get neglected. when your left hand is as confident as your right hand, playing hands together is much easier.
Also, when I practise scales, etc. I practise loudly and slowly.
........group of B major scale, i.e: E,Gb,Ab,Bb,B.
Yes. I was keeping my fingers curved. In fact, I was trying to keep them curved. 40+ years ago I recall my piano instructor telling me to always keep my fingers curved. Of course he may have said, "Keep your fingers curved when playing the white keys." My memory of over 40 years ago is 'faulty' at best...
Thanks lostinidlewonder. I understand what you are getting at but I am a bit confused by the notation. In B Major should this be E, F#, G#, A#, B? If not, I am lost on notation and I 'memorized' the wrong key names.....or, is this notation acceptable because B Major is one of those enharmonic scales with Cb Major?
Read further to discover what Josef Hofmann, one of the finest virtuosos of the 20th century had to say about scales.