Natural harmonic and melodic minor scales guitar
If you remember, on a major scale, step 7 to 8 is only a ½ step. You may ask yourself, why does it show a whole step for the last step of the formula. it should be easier to know a natural minor scale by showing the individual steps of the scale. I’ll explain the distinction between a natural and harmonic minor scale later. The formula above is for a natural minor scale. Memorize it! I have to explain really fast, there are 3 different types of minor scales, natural, harmonic and melodic. The formula for a minor scale is WHWWHWW. It still consists of eight steps, some whole steps, and a few half step. In a subsequent lesson, we’ll learn more about how these minor scales are applied in music styles like jazz, gospel, r & b, etc.A minor scale goes to have a number of a similar principle as a major scale. Was nice going through the evolution of the harmonic and melodic minor scales with you. “Check Out All The Melodic Minor Scales On The Keyboard…” Lowering the third tone of the E major scale: The melodic minor scale can either be seen as a natural minor scale with its sixth and seventh tone raised or a natural major scale with its third tone lowered. …raising the sixth tone of the scale (which is Ab): The sesquitone gap between the sixth and seventh tone of the scale can be covered up by raising the sixth tone of the harmonic minor scale by a half-step. The three half-steps between the sixth and seventh tone of the melodic minor scale poses a melodic problem when it is applied in the composition of melodies (and the scholarly reasons to justify the melodic problems of the harmonic minor scale is beyond the scope of this lesson). …and that’s a distance of three half-steps (aka – “sesquitones”). …the sixth and seventh tones are Ab and B (respectively): The distance between the sixth and the seventh tones of the harmonic minor scale is bigger than a whole-step. The melodic minor scale evolved after the harmonic minor scale due to the melodic problems associated with the harmonic minor scale. “Check Out All The Harmonic Minor Scales On The Keyboard…” This scale was named the harmonic minor scale after the harmonic problem it solved. …are a half-step apart and the seventh tone functions as a leading note. …where the seventh tone (B) and first tone (C): Raising the seventh tone of the natural minor scale by a half-step produced a new scale. It is the absence of the leading note function in the natural minor scale that led to the evolution of the harmonic minor scale. …the distance between the seventh tone (Bb) and the first tone (C): …and due to the half-step distance between them, the seventh tone (B):īut in the minor key, it’s different because in the key of C minor (as an example for every other minor key on the keyboard): …the seventh and first tones are B and C respectively: In clear terms, the subtonic (or the seventh tone) functions as the leading note when it’s a half-step away from the tonic (the first tone).
However, if the distance between the seventh tone and the first tone (aka – “the first tone”) is a half-step, the seventh tone would function as a leading note. The seventh tone of the scale is technically known as the subtonic. In the theory of traditional scales, the distance between the seventh tone and the first tone of the scale matters.
The Evolution Of The Harmonic Minor Scale In addition to the natural minor scale, other minor scale varieties evolved, that are connected to the minor key and we’ll be looking at how they evolved. …just exactly the same way the key of C minor can be seen in an outline of the C natural minor scale: These keys are connected to traditional scales: the major key is connected to the natural major scale, while the minor key is connected to the natural minor scale.įor example, the key of C major can be seen in an outline of the C natural major scale: There are two key types - the major key and the minor key. The Evolution Of The Harmonic And Melodic Minor Scales We’ll be covering the relationship between these two scales in terms of the similarities and differences between them and also their application in traditional music theory.
But beyond the natural minor scale is the harmonic and melodic minor scale. Minor scales are not commonly used like the major scale, and most of the time when minor scales are been discussed, the natural minor scale is usually in the picture. If you’re interested in learning the relationship between the harmonic and melodic minor scale, this lesson is for you.