| A minor scale in music theory is a diatonic scale whose third scale degree is an interval of a minor third above the tonic. While some definitions of minor scale encompass modes with the minor third, such as Dorian mode, most musicians use the term to refer to the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales described below. Natural minor One way of remembering the steps in the natural minor scale is to start on the 6th degree of the relative major scale. In that way, one does not have to remember the new set of steps "W,H,W,W,H,W,W," but rather just the familiar major scale steps with a different starting point. For example, A is the 6th scale note of the C major scale, so the A natural minor scale is just the C major scale starting on the 6th scale note. The C major scale is C D E F G A B C, so the A natural minor scale is A B C D E F G A (A is the 6th scale note of the C major scale). In other words meantone tunings the semitone is not half of a tone, but a somewhat larger interval. If the scale is used with the corresponding key signature, the natural minor scale is written with no accidentals. For example, in the key of A minor, the natural minor scale is: A B C D E F G A'  Harmonic minor These considerations of harmony lead to the harmonic minor scale, the same as the natural minor but with a chromatically raised seventh degree. tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone-and-a-half, semitone. For example, in the key of A minor, the harmonic minor scale is: A B C D E F G# A'  Melodic minor The interval between the sixth and seventh degrees of this scale (in this case F and G sharp) is an augmented second. While some composers, notably Mozart, have used this interval to advantage in melodic composition, other composers have felt it to be an awkward leap, particularly in vocal music. Thus, for purposes of melody, either the subtonic is used, or the sixth scale degree is raised; either way, there is a whole step between these two scale degrees, considered more conducive to smooth melody writing. Traditionally, music theorists have called these two options the ascending melodic (also known as heptatonia seconda) and descending melodic minor scales:   |
Blues Guitar Lesson: A Natural Minor Harmonic minor scale - Yngwie Malmsteen A practical application of the Harmonic Minor Scale Playing the "Heavy Metal" Scale How to play the A minor scale F Melodic Minor Scale G Melodic Minor Prev Top Next |
