Minor Scales

The Minor Scale (Natural Minor)

The step sequences for all natural minor keys are illustrated below (illustrated in the key of C).

The diagram below helps illustrate how the half step and whole step pattern translates into other key signatures.

The Natural Minor Scale : Applied Fingering  

Minor Scales : Melodic Minor , Harmonic Minor & Natural Minor

There are in fact three different minor scale forms that exist, each with small variances. The first five notes of all these minor scale are the same with the variances found in the last 6th and 7th interval. The various minor scales are illustrated below.

LEARNING TIP | MINOR SCALES

When learning the various minor scales I found it easier to learn what note modifications each minor scale compared to the major scale with the same tonic.

Natural minor scale b3, b6, b7

Harmonic minor scale b3, b6

Melodic minor scale Ascending b3  Descending b3 b6 b7

The Harmonic Minor Scale : Applied Fingering  

 Relative Major and Minor Relationship

If a C major scale is played from A to A, instead of C to C, you may recognize that the scale looks and sounds very similar to the A natural minor scale.

If we go one step further and look at the half and whole step pattern we can confirm that this scale is precisely the A natural minor.

Each major scale has a related natural minor scale that is built off the 6th degree of the major scale, and that share the same palette of notes. Vice-versa each minor scale has a related major scale build off the 3rd degree of the natural minor scale. These scales are called relative scales. C majors relative minor scale is A natural minor, A natural minors relative major scale is C major.

Why is this useful? Well, now we know that the same key shapes can be transferred to their relative minor scales. Also, you will find in a wide range of music that songs will pull from both the major and relative minor…… but more on that later.

I helpful tip when learning major and relative minor relationships: I find it is easier to identify the relative minor by descending a minor third (3 half steps) rather than navigating up to the major sixth interval. A major sixth interval inverted is a minor third interval