Introduction to Minor Scales
Minor scales are fundamental in music for establishing a minor key tonality and providing a darker, more somber sound compared to major scales. The natural minor scale serves as the backbone for both the harmonic and melodic minor scales, offering a clear route to understanding their unique alterations.
- Minor scales create a darker sound than major scales.
- Natural minor serves as the basis for harmonic and melodic minor.
- Key of A minor consists of the notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
Harmonic Minor Scale
The Harmonic Minor Scale modifies the natural minor by raising the seventh degree, which creates a leading tone that resolves strongly to the tonic. This alteration gives the scale a unique exotic sound, often used in classical and Middle Eastern music.
- Increases the seventh degree of the natural minor.
- Creates a leading tone for strong resolution to the tonic.
- Commonly used in classical and Middle Eastern music.
Melodic Minor Scale
The Melodic Minor Scale ascends by raising both the sixth and seventh degrees of the natural minor scale, which smooths out the awkward interval of the augmented second found in the natural minor. When descending, it typically reverts to the natural minor scale.
- Raises both sixth and seventh degrees when ascending.
- Smooths the intervallic awkwardness of natural minor.
- Descends like the natural minor scale.