Week 5: Minor Scales

There are three types of minor scale; they are used in different contexts.

1. Natural: 
The natural minor scale follows this sequence of steps:
  • W, H, W, W, H, W, W
  • W = Whole step
  • H = Half step

The natural minor can also be represented by the notation:
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 8

2. Harmonic:
In the harmonic minor scale the seventh degree is raised by a semitone, which is written as an accidental rather than included in the key signature. This raised 7th remains in place both ascending and descending. The raised 7th creates a sense of leading to the tonic. This is a useful property when used in harmony, hence the name.
The natural minor scale follows this sequence of steps:
  • W, H, W, W, H, WH, H
  • W = Whole step
  • H = Half step
  • WH = Whole-and-a-half step

The harmonic minor can also be represented by the notation:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


3. Melodic:
The melodic minor scale is more suitable for melodic writing. If you try to sing a harmonic minor scale, you will notice that the interval of a tone + semitone (1 ½ tones) between the 6th and 7th degrees is quite difficult to pitch correctly. The melodic minor provides different solutions for going up and going down, which smooth over the intervals and make them easier to sing. Ascending: The 6th and 7th degrees of the melodic minor scale are both raised by a semitone, with the alternations shown as accidentals. This makes the ascending version exactly the same as the major scale except for the third degree, which is a semitone flatter.

The pattern of tones and semitones in the ascending melodic minor scale is:
The melodic minor scale follows this sequence of steps:

W, H, W, W, W, WH, H
W = Whole step
H = Half step
WH = Whole-and-a-half step

The hamronic minor can also be represented by the notation:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (ascending)
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 (descending)

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