Minor Scales and Modes

Minor Scales

In tonal music, each major scale has a relative minor.  It begins on the 6^th scale degree of its relative major.  These two keys share the same key signature.  The 6^th scale degree is a minor 3^rd below the tonic in a major key, which is a shorter distance to measure.

Three types of minor scales are typically identified in tonal music.  Melodic Ascending, Melodic Descending (called Natural minor), and Harmonic minor.  The Harmonic minor is unusual because it has an Augmented second between the 6^th and 7^th scale degrees, which is enharmonically equivalent to a minor third.  In tonal music written in a minor key, the Ascending and Descending forms of the melodic minor scale dictate whether the 6^th and 7^th scale degrees are raised (major) or lowered (minor.)  These alterations differentiate minor keys from modes.

Each of these scales has a different order of Whole and Half steps, represented by the letters “W” and ”H.”  The Augmented second in the Harmonic minor is represented by the letter “A.”

Melodic Ascending: W – H – W – W – W – W – H

Melodic Descending: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (Natural minor)

Harmonic minor: W – H – W – W – H – A – H

Modes

Compared to a Major scale, the altered scale degree are identified below.  Alternatively, choose a key signature and play all the notes in the octave beginning on each scale degree, from 1 – 7.

1. Ionian:  none (Major scale)
2. Dorian:  m3, m7
3. Phrygian:  m2, m3, m6, m7
4. Lydian:  #4
5. Mixolydian:  m7
6. Aeolian:  m3, m6, m7 (Natural minor)
7. Locrian:  m2, m3, d5, m6, m7