Create account Log in

Article Talk

Read Edit View history

Search

Minor scale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Main page
Contents
Featured content

For the simulated nuclear detonation, see Minor Scale.

In music theory, minor scale may refer to:

Current events

a heptatonic scale whose first, third, and fifth scale

Random article

degrees form a minor

triad,[1]

Donate to Wikipedia

which the third note is a minor third (three semitones)

Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here

that is, a 7-note scale in

above the first, and the fifth note is a perfect fifth (seven

Number of pitch classes

Maximal evenness

others) the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic

minor scales. A minor scale differs from a major scale
in that the third degree in a major scale is a major third
(four semitones) above the first degree. In other words,
the third degree in a major scale is one semitone
higher than in a minor scale.
the natural minor scale, also known as Aeolian scale,

Upload file

taken by itself. When a major scale and a natural minor

Special pages

scale have the same key signature, they are relative

open in browser PRO version

Qualities

semitones) above the first. This includes (among

Related changes

Permanent link

Minor scale

keys. A natural minor scale has the same notes as its

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Natural minor scales

pdfcrowd.com

Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export

keys. A natural minor scale has the same notes as its

relative major scale, but is built starting from the sixth
note of the relative major scale.
the functional fusion of natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales, as is used in

Create a book

Western classical music (see major and minor). A harmonic minor scale differs from a natural

Download as PDF

minor scale in that the seventh note is raised one semitone. Melodic minor scales raise both

Printable version

the sixth and seventh notes one semitone when ascending, but when descending, the sixth and

Languages

seventh notes are flattened, producing the natural minor scale.

Contents

1 Natural minor scale

Catal

2 Harmonic minor scale

etina

3 Melodic minor scale

Dansk

4 Finding key signatures

Deutsch
Eesti
Espaol
Esperanto

Franais

5 Related modes
6 See also
7 References
8 Further reading
9 External links

Galego

Hrvatski
Bahasa Indonesia
slenska
Italiano

Basa Jawa

open in browser PRO version

Natural minor scale

[edit]

The natural minor scale

follows the sequence of steps:
W, H, W, W, H, W, W
W = Whole step
Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

The A natural minor scale.

Play (helpinfo)

pdfcrowd.com

Basa Jawa

H = Half step

Latvieu

In semitones, this is

Magyar
Bahasa Melayu

two, one, two, two, one, two, two (2 1 2 2 1 2 2) (or T S

Nederlands

T T S T T)

Norsk bokml
Norsk nynorsk

This pattern of whole and half steps

characterizes the natural minor scales.

If the white keys on the piano are played beginning on the

sixth step of the C-major scale, which is A, to the A an

Occitan

octave above, then a natural minor scale is produced. In this case the minor scale is called A-

Polski

minor, and this minor scale has no accidentals (sharps or flats). A-minor is called the relative minor

Portugus

of C. Every major key has a relative minor, which starts on the sixth scale degree or step.

Simple English

The natural minor scale can also be represented by the notation:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Slovenina
Slovenina
/ srpski
Srpskohrvatski /

Svenska

Each degree of the scale, starting with the tonic (the first, lowest note of the scale), is represented
by a number. Their difference from the major scale is shown. Thus a number without a sharp or flat
represents a major (or perfect) interval. A number with a flat represents a minor interval, and a
number with a sharp (though there are none in this example) represents an augmented interval. In

Trke

this example, the numbers mean: 1=unison, 2=major second, 3=minor third, 4=perfect fourth,

5=perfect fifth, 6=minor sixth, 7=minor seventh, 8=octave. So, the natural minor scale consists

Ting Vit

of: 1, the tonic, followed by 2, a note a major second above the tonic, 3, a note a minor third

Edit links

above the tonic, and so forth, up to 8, a note an octave above the tonic.
In rock and popular music examples of songs in Minor Keys include The Moody Blues' "Nights in
White Satin", Blondie's "Call Me", and Spinal Tap's "Lick My Love Pump".[2]

Harmonic minor scale

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

[edit]
pdfcrowd.com

The notes of the harmonic

minor scale are the same as
the natural minor except that
the seventh degree is raised
by one semitone, making an

The A harmonic minor scale. Its seventh note is raised by a

semitone. Play (helpinfo)

augmented second between

the sixth and seventh degrees. The seventh degree, in a similar way to major scales, becomes a
leading tone to the tonic because it is now only a semitone lower than the tonic, in contrast to the
seventh degree in natural minor scales, which are a whole tone lower than the tonic (subtonic). A
harmonic minor scale follows the sequence of steps:
W, H, W, W, H, WH, H
W = Whole step
H = Half step
WH = Whole-and-a-half step
In semitones, this is
two, one, two, two, one, three, one (2 1 2 2 1 3 1)
This can also be notated as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.
The scale is so named because it is a common foundation for harmonies (chords) used in a minor
key. For example, in the key of A-minor, the V chord (the triad built on the note E) is normally a
minor triad, which includes the seventh degree of the A-minor scale: G, as opposed to the raised
seventh G which would make a major triad in Harmonic Minor.

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

Play (helpinfo)

Chords on degrees other than V may also include the raised seventh degree in minor keys, such
as the diminished triad on VII itself (viio); and also the augmented triad on III (iii+), which is not
found in any "natural" harmony (that is, harmony based on notes of the major scale only, or the
natural minor scale only). This augmented fifth chord (5 chord) played a part in the development
of modern chromaticism.
The inversions of an augmented triad introduce no intervals (allowing for enharmonic equivalents)
that are absent from its root position. The first inversion is enharmonically equivalent to a new
augmented triad in root position. For example, the triad EGB in first inversion is GBE,
enharmonically equivalent to the augmented triad GBD. The same is true for the second
inversion. One chord, with various spellings, may therefore have various harmonic functions in
various keys, which introduces ambiguous tonality and opens the door to chromatic possibilities
exploited by J. S. Bach, for example, and of course by many later composers. A similar analysis
applies to the diminished seventh chord, founded on the diminished triad on VII in minor keys and
ambiguous for the same reasons as the augmented triad.
While it evolved primarily as a basis for chords, the harmonic minor with its augmented second is
open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

sometimes used melodically. Instances can be found in Mozart, and notably in Schubert (for
example, in movement 1 of String Quartet 14, "Death and the Maiden"). In this role it is used
descending far more commonly than ascending.
The harmonic minor is also occasionally referred to as the Mohammedan scale [3] as its upper
tetrachord corresponds to the Hijaz jins, commonly found in Middle Eastern music. The harmonic
minor scale as a whole is called Nahawand-Hijaz[4] in Arabic nomenclature, and as Bselik Hicaz[5]
in Turkish nomenclature. And as an Indian raga it is called Kirwani.
The Hungarian minor scale is similar to the harmonic minor scale but with a raised fourth degree.
This scale is sometimes also referred to as "Gypsy Run", or alternatively "Egyptian Minor Scale",
as mentioned by jazz legend Miles Davis who describes it in his autobiography as "something that
I'd learned at Juilliard".[6]
In popular music, examples of songs in harmonic minor include "Easy Please Me" by Katy B, which
is a pop song, in rare instances, written in pure harmonic minor.

Melodic minor scale

[edit]

See also: Jazz scale Modes of the melodic minor scale

The distinctive sound of the
harmonic minor scale is the
interval between the (minor)
sixth and (major) seventh
degrees of the scale (in the
case of A-minor, F and G),
which is an augmented

The A melodic minor scale. When ascending, the sixth and seventh
notes are both raised above the corresponding notes of the natural
minor scale. The descending melodic minor scale is the same as the
descending natural minor scale. Play (helpinfo)

second. While some

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

composers, notably Mozart, have used this interval to advantage in melodic composition, other
composers, having felt it to be an awkward leap, particularly in vocal music, considered a whole
step between these two scale degrees more conducive to smooth melody writing, so either the
sixth scale degree was raised or the seventh flattened, in both cases by a semitone. Traditionally,
music theorists have called these two options the ascending melodic minor scale (also known
as heptatonia seconda and jazz minor scale) and descending melodic minor scale
respectively. Note that the ascending melodic minor scale is the 5th mode of the Lydian Dominant
or acoustic scale. The ascending melodic minor scale can be notated as
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
While the descending is:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
In its upper tetrachord, the ascending melodic minor scale is identical to its major scale. The
descending melodic minor scale is identical to the natural minor scale.
Composers have not been consistent in using these in ascending and descending melodies. Just
as often, composers choose one form or the other based on whether one of the two notes is part
of the most recent chord (the prevailing harmony). Particularly, to use the triad of the relative
majorwhich is very commonsince this is based on the third degree of the minor scale, the
raised seventh degree would cause an augmented triad. Composers thus frequently require the
lowered seventh degree found in the natural minor. In jazz, the descending aeolian is usually
disregarded altogether.
Examples of the use of melodic minor in rock and popular music include Elton John's "Sorry Seems
To Be The Hardest Word", which makes, "a nod to the common practice...by the use of F [the
leading-tone in G minor] as the penultimate note of the final cadence."[7]
open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

Finding key signatures

[edit]

Major and minor keys that

share the same signature are
relative to each other; so Cmajor is the relative major of
A-minor, and C-minor is the
relative minor of E-major.
The relative major is a minor
third above the tonic of the
minor. For example, since the
key signature of G-major has
one sharp (see major scales
for how to find this), its relative
minor, E minor, also has one
sharp in its key signature.
Music may be written in an
enharmonic scale (e.g. C
minor, which only has four
sharps in its key signature,
compared to the theoretical
eight flats required for D

Circle of fifths showing major and minor keys and their signatures

minor). The following are

enharmonic equivalents:
Key sig. Major scale Minor scale
open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

5/7

B/C major

g/a minor

6/6

F/G major d/e minor

7/5

C/D major a/b minor

Double sharps/double flats can be written as accidentals, but not as part of a key signature. For
example:
D minor key signature: E + A + D + G + C + F + B (the B is now double flatted and
therefore, notated after the single accidentals, which obviously do not include the B)
D natural minor = D E F G A B C D
D melodic minor (ascending and descending) = D E F G A B C D C B A
G F E D
D harmonic minor = D E F G A B C D

Related modes

[edit]

In the Western system, derived from the Greek system of modes, the principal scale that includes
the minor third is the Aeolian mode, with the minor third also occurring in the Dorian mode and the
Phrygian mode. Dorian is the same as minor mode except with a major sixth, and Phrygian mode is
the same as minor mode except with a minor second. The Locrian mode contains the minor third
but not the perfect fifth, so its root chord is diminished.

See also

[edit]

Diatonic functionality
Jazz minor scale
Jazz scale#Modes of the melodic minor scale
open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

Jazz scale#Modes of the melodic minor scale

References

[edit]

1. ^ Prout, Ebenezer (1889). Harmony: Its Theory and Practice, pg. 15, 74, London, Augener.
2. ^ Stephenson, Ken (2002). What to Listen for in Rock: A Stylistic Analysis, p.39. ISBN 978-0-30009239-4.
3. ^ United States Patent: 5386757
4. ^ "Maqam Nihawand"
5. ^ "Buselik Makam"

, Oud.Eclipse.co.uk.
, Oud.Eclipse.co.uk.

6. ^ Davis, Miles; Troupe, Quincy (1990). Miles, the Autobiography. Simon & Schuster. p. 64. ISBN 0671-72582-3.
7. ^ Stephenson (2002), p.41.

Further reading

[edit]

Hewitt, Michael. 2013. Musical Scales of the World. The Note Tree. ISBN 978-0957547001.
Yamaguchi, Masaya. 2006. The Complete Thesaurus of Musical Scales, revised edition. New
York: Masaya Music Services. ISBN 0-9676353-0-6.

External links

[edit]

Proper fingering of the major and minor scales on the piano

Listen to and download harmonised minor scale piano MP3s
Musical scales (list)

V T E
Main Western
Types

open in browser PRO version

Major Minor Chromatic

Bebop Diatonic Distance model Enharmonic Jazz Symmetric Synthetic mode
Synthetic scale

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

Acoustic Adonai malakh mode Alpha Altered Beta Blues Lambda (Bohlen-Pierce)
Name

Double harmonic Enigmatic Flamenco mode Gamma Half diminished

Harmonic major Harmonic Jazz minor Lydian dominant Major Locrian Misheberak
Phrygian dominant Ptolemy's intense diatonic Scale of harmonics Whole tone
Algerian Arabic (Double harmonic Major Locrian Quarter tone 17 equal temperament) Brazil

Ethnic origin

(Esc ala nordestina ) Gamelan (Pelog Slendro ) Gypsy Hungarian gypsy Hungarian minor
Istrian Japanese Neapolitan Persian Ukrainian Dorian Ukrainian minor

Modes in Western music

V T E
Gregorian

Modes

Other
Diatonic
Jazz minor

Number of tones

Authentic
Plagal

Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian

Hypodorian Hypophrygian Hypolydian Hypomixolydian

Ionian Hypoionian Aeolian Hypoaeolian Locrian Hypolocrian

Reciting tone
Ionian (I) Dorian (II) Phrygian (III) Lydian (IV) Mixolydian (V)
Aeolian (VI) Locrian (VII)
Ascending melodic minor (I) Dorian 2 (II) Lydian Augmented (III)
Lydian Dominant (IV) Mixolydian 13 (V) Locrian 2 (VI) Altered (VII)

Monotonic (1) Ditonic (2) Tritonic (3) Tetratonic (4) Pentatonic (5) Hexatonic (6)
Heptatonic (7) Octatonic (8) Chromatic (12)

Categories: Heptatonic scales

Minor scales

Modes

This page w as last modified on 31 March 2015, at 18:05.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you
agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit
organization.

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

pdfcrowd.com

Privacy policy

open in browser PRO version

About Wikipedia Disclaimers

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Contact Wikipedia Developers

Mobile view

pdfcrowd.com