Minor key - Definition and Overview

A minor scale in musical theory can be viewed as the sixth mode of the major scale. However, see below.

Constructing and recognising minor scales

Finding key signatures

Like major scales, minors are named after their tonic (first) note. However unlike majors, minor scales do not have their own set of key signatures. Instead it is necessary to use the key signature of a minor's relative major scale. The relative major is found by raising the minor tonic note by 3 semitones (an interval of a minor third); for example the relative major of E minor is G major. We know that the key signature of G major has one sharp (see major scales for how to find this,) therefore E minor also has one sharp in its key signature.

This table illustrates the relative major key signatures for minor scales.

Key Sig.  Major Scale          Minor Scale
0#        - C     major           - A     minor
1#        - G     major           - E     minor
2#        - D     major           - B     minor
3#        - A     major           - F#    minor
4#        - E     major           - C#    minor
5#/7b     - B /Cb major           - G#/Ab minor
6#/6b     - F#/Gb major           - D#/Eb minor
7#/5b     - C#/Db major           - A#/Bb minor
   4b     -    Ab major           -    F  minor
   3b     -    Eb major           -    C  minor
   2b     -    Bb major           -    G  minor
   1b     -    F  major           -    D  minor

Types of minor scales

Descending melodic minor scales

Scales produced from just the key signature of the relative major are sometimes called natural minors, also called the Aeolian mode. The simplest natural minor scale is A natural minor:

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A'

A_melodic_minor_descending.PNG
A melodic minor descending

This variant is sometimes referred to as the descending melodic minor scale as it is often used in descent from the tonic.

Ascending melodic minor scales

The ascending melodic minor scale is constructed by sharpening the 6th and 7th scale degrees of the minor scale (or, equivalently, flatting the third degree of the major scale). This variation is used primarily for ascending lines, since it has strong motion towards the tonic.

For example, in the key of A minor, the ascending melodic minor scale is:

A  B  C  D  E  F# G# A'

A_melodic_minor_ascending.PNG
A melodic minor ascending

Harmonic minor scales

Harmonic minors are constructed by sharpening the 7th degree of the minor scale.

For example, in the key of A minor, the harmonic minor scale is:

A  B  C  D  E  F  G# A'

A_harmonic_minor_ascending.PNG
A harmonic minor

This scale is used in constructing harmony as it contains the major dominant chord and the minor subdominant chord.

Natural minor scale

A natural minor scale, is a scale without any accidentals in it.

For example, in the key of A minor, the natural minor scale is:

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A'

Natural_minor_scale_full_octave_on_a.PNG
Natural minor scale full octave ascending on a

Differences between major and minor

See major and minor.

See also

• musical mode
• diatonic functionality

Reference

• Gjerdingen, Robert O. (1990). "A Guide to the Terminology of German Harmony", Studies in the Origin of Harmonic Tonality by Dahlhaus, Carl, trans. Gjerdingen (1990).