Chapter 7

Minor Scales and Keys

Relative key signatures

• Major/minor pairs that share the same key signature are said to be relative

(Ex. “a minor is the relative key of C Major”)

• The key signature will be identical in terms of number and placement of accidentals

Relative Key Signature

Parallel Key Signatures

• Parallel major/minor keys share the same tonic but have different key signatures and a different arrangement of whole and half steps.

(Ex. “c minor is the parallel key of C Major”.

C minor has 3 flats and C major does not have any flats/sharps.)

Minor Scales

• There are three types of minor scale:

– Natural (pure)

– Harmonic

– Melodic

• You will not need to know the order of whole and half steps IF you know the key signature and rules for the scale.

Natural minor

• The natural minor scale (like the major scale) is a diatonic scale with a minor key signature, with no other accidentals required

• Half-steps are re-mi (2-3)and sol-la (5-6)

• W H W W H W W

Harmonic minor

• This scale is the most often encountered minor scale!

1. begin with the natural minor

2. raise the seventh scale degree(7th, ti) by one half-step.

- Be SURE to raise the seventh ONLY in the scale and NOT in the key signature (ALWAYS appears as an accidental)

- In flat keys a raised seventh may use a natural, not a sharp (and in sharp keys may need a double-sharp)… take care to note the key signature!

Examples of Harmonic minor scales(2 Octaves & fingerings on Keyboard)

A Harmonic minor scale:

D Harmonic minor scale:

E Harmonic minor scale:

Melodic minor

• The melodic minor incorporates different rules when ascending or descending!

• The ascending melodic minor:

1. Begin with the natural minor

2. Raise the seventh(7th, ti)(harmonic minor)

3. Raise the sixth (6th, la)by one half-step.

• Descending melodic minor:

• Use the natural minor (pure) form!

Melodic minor

• raised sixth and seventh ascending

• natural minor descending

• Please use the reminder accidentals for the descending melodic minor for clarity

A minor scalesFingering on Keyboard

Fingering #

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

Fingering on Keyboard (ANatural minor scales)

for RH

Fingering on Keyboard (AHarmonic minor scales)

for RH

Fingering on Keyboard (AMelodic minor scales)

for RH