Now that I have covered intervals, we can go into what the minor scale is. In theory, a minor scale is a scale that contains a minor third (m3) from the tonic. The tonic is the starting note of the scale. You may have noticed that the title contains an “s” after scale, and that is because there is in fact multiple minor scales. The first one that we will look at is known as the natural minor scale (Aeolian mode.)
The Natural Minor Scale
Looking at the natural minor scale in terms of semitones, it is arranged as 2:1:2:2:1:2:2. One may notice that this pattern is similar to that of the Major scale covered previously, and there is a major connection that will be expanded upon later. The natural minor, like the major scale, does not require any accidentals (sharps or flats outside the key signature.) The m3, being a defining quality of the minor scale, plays an important role. It helps to give the minor scale its signature sound, which is often one that is less cheery than that of the major scale. Below you will find every Natural Minor Scale listed for reference.
A minor: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
Bb minor: C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb.
B minor: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B.
C minor: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C.
C# minor: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A, B#, C#.
D minor: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D.
Eb minor: Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb.
E minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E.
F minor: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F.
F# minor: F#. G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#.
G minor: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G.
Ab minor: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab.
Before continuing, I wanted to draw attention to how these could be written differently using enharmonic notes. Enharmonic notes are two notes that have different names, but sound the same. (ex. C# and Db.)
The C# minor scale above therefor may be written as the Db minor scale, and although it looks different, it musically sounds the same. Written as the Db minor scale, it would look like this: Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db. Now some of you may see why I opted to write it as C# instead. Take a look at the B note, no it’s not a typo, that is a double flat B (Bbb) which would enharmonically be equivalent to an A. Although this is something important to learn, I felt that the C# scale would be simpler to understand for those new to music theory.
The Harmonic Minor Scale (The Mohammedan Scale)
The Harmonic Minor Scale can be formed by taking the natural minor scale, and raising the seventh note by one semitone. This creates a semitone pattern of 2:1:2:2:1:3:1. By raising the seventh note in the scale, it creates a leading tone, a tone that leads to a semitone above it. This creates a stronger pull to the next note, which in this case is the tonic.
A harmonic minor: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A.
Bb harmonic minor: C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb.
B harmonic minor: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, B.
C harmonic minor: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C.
C# harmonic minor: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A, B##, C#.
D harmonic minor: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D.
Eb harmonic minor: Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb.
E harmonic minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E.
F harmonic minor: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F.
F# harmonic minor: F#. G#, A, B, C#, D, E#, F#.
G harmonic minor: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G.
Ab harmonic minor: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, G, Ab.
On a final note, another history lesson. As one may see above in the parenthesis on the subtitle, this is also know as the Mohammedan Scale because of its use of Hijaz ajna, a tetrachord commonly found in Middle Eastern music. A Tetrachord by the way, is a four note chord that occupies the interval of a perfect fourth. So from the A harmonic minor scale, this would be E, F, G# A. The Harmonic minor scale is often used in Middle Eastern Music, and is known as Nahawand-Hijaz in Arabic.
So since this post has grown to be rather long, I will finish my lesson on the minor scales in a follow up post that will cover the Melodic Minor Scale and the circle of fifths that relate the Major and Minor scales together, but until then enjoy!, and please feel free to comment.
