MINOR SCALES

A minor scale is a direct alphabetical succession of tones

having a minor third between the first and third scale

degrees. In key signatures, sharps and flats in minor keys
are placed in the staff in the same order as in major keys.
Thus, any key signature may be used for both a minor key
or for a major key and two keys are said to be related.

 The minor key which is related to a major key is

represented by sixth scale degree of the major key. Thus,

the first scale degree, the tonic, of a minor key is a minor
third below the tonic of its related major. The related major
of a minor key is a minor third above the tonic of the minor
key.

Example 6-a

 A scale of D, for example using the key signature of F

major is designated D natural minor; or D minor, pure

form. (This scale is also known as the Aeolian mode on D)
Example 6-b

 The harmonic minor scale is formed by raising, by a half-

step, the seventh scale degree of the natural minor scale

(both ascending and descending).
Example 6-c

 The melodic minor scale is formed by raising, by a half-

step, the sixth and seventh scale degrees of the natural

minor scale as the scale ascend, and returning the sixth
and seventh scale degrees to natural minor as the scale
descends.
Example 6-d

 The

harmonic minor scale is so named

because the composers of the 17th, 18th and
19th centuries consistently raised the seventh
scale degree in harmonic passages similar to
example 6-e.
Example 6-e

 The melodic minor scale is like the harmonic

minor scale, is a theoretical concept rooted in

actual musical practice. Composers and
performers of the 17th and 18th centuries probably
found the augmented second which occurs
between the 6th and 7t scale degrees difficult to
sing or play in tune when this interval was used
melodically in a vocal or instrumental part. The
used of the melodic minor scale avoids the
augmented second.

Example 6-f