Minor Scales

Chapter Ten - Minor Scales

There are three different forms of the Minor scale:

Natural minor,
Harmonic minor and
Melodic minor.

Each form consists of a series of 7 notes.

The interval pattern for each scale is the same for the first five notes, however the intervals used for the sixth and seventh scale degrees are different for each of the three forms.

Natural Minor

W = Whole Step H = Half Step

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
		W	H	W	W	H	W	W

Half step intervals occur between scale degrees 2-3 and 5-6 of the natural minor scale.

The interval of a Whole step occurs between all other scale degrees.

The interval structure is reversed when the scale is descending.

Keyboard/Guitar

natural minor

The interval pattern does not require the use of any black keys when starting on the note 'A'. The piano keyboard is arranged so that the White keys have the appropriate intervals for the A natural minor scale. The half step interval between B-C and E-F on the keyboard also happens to be the scale degrees 2-3 and 5-6 respectively.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	H	W	W
A	B	C	D	E	F	G	A

Natural minor scales can be created beginning on any note. The interval pattern of W-H-W-W-H-W-W is always used to create the Natural minor Scale. Natural minor scales beginning on any other note will require the use of one or more black keys.

E natural Minor

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

W H W W H W W

E F# G A B C D E

D natural Minor

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

W H W W H W W

D E F G A Bb C D

Harmonic Minor

W = Whole Step H = Half Step 1.5 = One and a Half steps

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
		W	H	W	W	H	1.5	H

Half step intervals occur between scale degrees 2-3, 5-6 and 7-8 of the harmonic minor scale. An interval of One and a Half Steps occurs between scale degrees 6-7.

The interval of a Whole step occurs between all other scale degrees.

1.5

Keyboard/Guitar

harmonic minor

Harmonic minor scales on the keyboard always will use at least one black key

example: A Harmonic minor

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	H	1.5	H
A	B	C	D	E	F	G#	A

Harmonic minor scales can be created beginning on any note. The interval pattern of W-H-W-W-H-1.5-H is always used to create the Harmonic minor Scale.

E harmonic minor scale.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	H	1.5	H
E	F#	G	A	B	C	D#	E

D hamonic minor scale

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	H	1.5	H
D	E	F	G	A	Bb	C#	D

Melodic Minor

W = Whole Step H = Half Step

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
		W	H	W	W	W	W	H

Half step intervals occur between scale degrees 2-3 and 7-8 of the melodic minor scale.

The interval of a Whole step occurs between all other scale degrees.

Most theory books state that the melodic minor scale is different when ascending than when descending. (The descending form of the melodic minor scale is the same as natural minor.) While there are many examples of this ascending /descending usage of the minor scale this is not universal by any means. There are several examples of music where the "ascending form" of the melodic minor scale is used when the scale is descending.

Ascending form

Descending form

Ascending form

Two or even all three forms of the minor scale may occur within a single composition.

The primary purpose of the harmonic minor scale is to give the V chord a major quality (more about chords later) The primary purpose of the melodic minor scale is to avoid the 1.5 step interval that occurs between scale degrees 6 and 7 in harmonic minor while at the same time allowing the V chord to remain major quality. In other words the melodic minor scale consists exclusively of whole steps and half steps (no 1.5 step intervals) and also creates a major chord at the V position in the scale. (See the chapter on triads for more about chords)

Keyboard/Guitar

melodic minor

Melodic minor scales on the keyboard always will use at least one black key.

scale degree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	W	W	H
A	B	C	D	E	F#	G#	A

Melodic minor scales can be created beginning on any note. The interval pattern of W-H-W-W-W-W-H is always used to create the Melodic minor Scale.

E melodic minor

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	W	W	H
E	F#	G	A	B	C#	D#	E

D melodic minor scale

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	W	H	W	W	W	W	H
D	E	F	G	A	B	C#	D

Guitar Scale Forms

Natural minor scale forms

Form 1	Form 2
Form 3	Form 4
Form 5	Form 6a
Form 6b

Harmonic minor scale forms

Form 1	Form 2
Form 3	Form 4
Form 5	Form 6a

Melodic minor scale forms (ascending)

Form 1	Form 2
Form 3	Form 4
Form 5	Form 6a

Tunes that are based on a Natural Minor Scale:

God rest Ye merry Gentleman

Europa

Blue Bossa

Runaway

Harmonic Minor

Hava Nagila

Symphony no. 40 - Mozart

Melodic Minor

Bourree in E minor (Lute Suite #1) - Bach

Etude no. 1 - Carcassi

The Autumn Leaves - Mercer

Symphony no. 7 (2nd mvt) - Beethoven

Class Assignment:

Links to the Assignment Pages

Each assignment link below is to a GIF file on a single page. Print out each page and complete the assignments. Use your browser's BACK button to return to this page.

Using the worksheets, write out all of the Natural minor, Harmonic minor, and Melodic minor scales

(After printing out a worksheet, use your browser's BACK button to return to this page)

Select one of the above melodies with which you are familiar. Play the first phrase of the melody determine the melodic formula. Play the phrase in a different key using the melodic formula as a guide to finding the correct notes within the scale.

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