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Unit on Scales

Lesson 2

Creating the Minor Scales

An interactive keyboard is available for this lesson, it will or should have already loaded directly above. The file for this keyboard tool is 728k and may take a while depending on your internet connection speed. If the keyboard has not fully loaded above, I suggest that you move on reading the lesson as this process takes place.

The minor scale is made up of eight pitches. The last note being a repeat of the first, only one octave higher. The distance from one pitch to the next is called a step. These pitches are organized in "steps" which are in a diatonic order.

The minor scale has three (3) different types.

1. Natural Minor - In this scale half steps (H) are between the 2nd and 3rd and the 5th and 6th scale degrees. All the remaining steps are called whole steps (W).
2. Melodic Minor
   1. Going Upward the half steps (H) are between the 2nd and 3rd and the 7th and 8th scale degrees. All the remaining steps are called whole steps (W).
   2. Going Downward the half steps (H) are between the 6th and 5th and the 3rd and 2nd scale degrees. All the remaining steps are called whole steps (W).
3. Harmonic Minor - In this scale half steps (H) are between the 2nd and 3rd. the 5th and 6th and the 7th and 8th scale degrees. There is a step and 1/2 interval, or a minor 3rd between the 6th and 7th scale degrees as well. (It is this interval which gives this scale a somewhat 'Middle Eastern' sound. All the remaining steps are called whole steps (W).

The following patterns is used to build the three minor scales:

Natural Minor	W H W W H W W
Melodic Minor - Upwards Melodic Minor - Downwards	W H W W W W H W H W W H W W
Harmonic Minor	W H W W H 11/2 H

The minor scale was used in medieval times though it was called the Aoleian Mode at that time. This scale can be found most easily on the piano by playing all of the "white keys" from A to A.

If you did not do so earlier, use the interactive keyboard so that you can hear what the Minor Scale sounds like. Remember to play from A up to the following A.

Using the pattern for minor scales shown above try the following exercise. Minor scales can be created on any of the twelve pitches on the keyboard. In the following window try to build the three minor scales, using pitch letter names, which start on the pitch of A.

Natural Minor

Melodic Minor

W H W W W W H	W H W W H W W
A a A	A a A

Harmonic Minor

W H W W H 11/2 H

A a A

 

Be sure to PLAY what you have written on the keyboard.
After all it is the sound that is most important.

 

Did you get it right? Put mouse here to find out.

 

Assignment: (If you choose to accept it:)

Create Minor scales in at least 5 keys. Experiment with all three types of scale. The twelve usual tonic letter names are listed below.

C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B

For an extra challenge, try these.....

Cb, D#, E#, Fb, G#, A#,B#

E-mail me with your answers, webmaster@glassmusicworks.com.
Be sure to include the type of scales you were attempting to build, be as clear as possible.