1.

8 Minor Scales: Two Roads

A natural minor scale always follows a particular pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (h). When people say "minor scale" by itself they mean natural minor.
A B C D

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! "

"

"

"
W W

"
h

"
F W

G "

A "

(lower tetrachord)

(upper tetrachord)

Road One: The Relative Road

The notes of the A natural minor scale above are the same as C major. This means that both A minor and C major use the same key signature (no flats or sharps).

Relative keys are any pair of one major key and one minor key (like C major and a minor) that have the same key signature. The minor key always starts on the sixth note of the relative major. Relative keys are listed on the circle-of-fifths diagram in boxes together. Remember: Relatives at a family reunion look alike, and relative keys "look alike" by having the same key signature. To find the key signature for a minor key, count down 6 letter names (or up 3), and spell the major scale that includes the minor key you want.
Example: E minor = ? Answer: Count down 6 =E,D,C,B,A,G
D E F# G " " " " " " " ! "

G major = 1 #
B C

! ! !

" " ! " " " " " "

E F# G A B C D E

E minor = 1 #

Road Two: The Parallel Road Parallel keys share the same starting note (called tonic). To find the natural minor using the parallel key, write a major scale on the same note, then lower 3, 6, and 7 using accidentals.

" ! " #" #" " " #" #"

E F# E 1 2

E major = 4 # G# A B C# D#
3
4 5

! ! !

E " $ " $ " ! " #" $" " " E F#

E minor = 1 # G A B C D

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lower steps 3, 6, and 7 with accidentals.

Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales Melodic minor is natural minor with steps 6 and 7 raised going up, but like natural minor going down. (Notice the F# in the key signature below.)

#" " ! " " " " " #"

E F# G A B E

# #

C# 6

D# 7

" $" $" " " " " "

E B A G F# E

D 7

C 6

Harmonic minor is natural minor with step 7 raised (only) both up AND down.

#" " ! " " " " " "

E F# G A B C E

D# 7

" #" " " " " " "

E C B A G F# E

D# 7

Copyright 2010 by Mark Feezell. All Rights Reserved.