Lesson 4

  Lesson 4: Minor Scales and Minor Keys


Lecture Notes:

  • The order of sharps (#'s) or flats (♭'s) in a key signature for any minor scale is the same as its relative major scale. (Example: A minor and C major has the same signature)
Image from:
https://chordprogressionblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/23/music-theory-minor-and-relative-keys/


  • The major pentatonic and the minor pentatonic are the same.
  • In order to find the relative minor scale from a major, you would have to look for the 6th degree of the major scale. 

Image from:
https://www.teoria.com/en/tutorials/scales/03-relative.php

  • In order to find the relative major scale from a minor scale, you would have to look for the 3rd degree (minor 3rd) of the minor scale.



Here's a YouTube video from Joel Dave. In this video, he helps you better understand how to find the relative minor using a major scale and how to find the relative major using a minor scale.


Natural Minor Scale
  • Natural minor scales derive from their relative major scales, starting and ending on the 6th degree of the major scale.
  • Another name for a natural minor is called, "Aeolian Mode".
Harmonic Minor Scale
  • To create a harmonic minor scale, you raise the 7th degree of the natural minor scale by a half step.
Melodic Minor Scale
  • To create a melodic minor scale ascending, you raise the 6th and 7th degrees of a natural minor scale by a half step. When descending, you lower the raised 6th and 7th of that melodic minor scale which will turn into a natural minor scale descending.


Here's a YouTube video from Michael New. In this video, He teaches you everything you need to know to understand minor scales and the differences between the types of minor scales (Natural Minor Harmonic Minor, and Melodic Minor).



Here's a video of me playing, "Moonlight Sonata (3rd Movement)" on the piano. You can see throughout the excerpt it is in a natural minor scale. However, between measures 9 and 14, it suddenly changes to a harmonic minor scale, then switches back to a natural minor scale in measure 15.


Excerpt from:
https://musescore.com/user/115413/scores/155388

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