Minor Scales
As you should recall, the notes of a major scale correspond to major triads, minor triads, or diminished triads. We have already learned about major triads and their various progressions. Now we will study minor scales, as they will help us easily play minor triads and diverse minor chord progressions.
A Minor Scale
The notes of the A minor scale are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
default:
Piano.Keyboard: A minor
C Minor Scale
The notes of the C minor scale are C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, and G.
default:
Piano.Keyboard: C minor
Natural Minor Scales
Now, we will introduce a new concept related to minor scales.
For every major key, there is a relative minor key that shares the same key signature.
Each relative minor scale starts on the 6th note of its relative major scale. This 6th note becomes the tonic (the starting note) of the minor scale and determines its name.
Relative Major and Minor Keys
| Major Key | Minor Key |
|---|---|
| C Major | A Minor |
| D Major | B Minor |
| E Major | C Minor |
| F Major | D Minor |
| G Major | E Minor |
| A Major | F# Minor |
| B Major | G# Minor |
| Db Major | Bb Minor |
| Eb Major | C Minor |
| Gb Major | Eb Minor |
| Ab Major | F Minor |
| Bb Major | G Minor |
Steps to Play a Minor Scale
- Find the relative major key of the minor scale you want to play. Use the chart above, or identify the major scale that starts three half-steps above the tonic of your minor scale.
- Example: For A minor, count up three half-steps (A → Bb → B → C). The relative major key is C Major.
- Play the relative major scale but start and end on its 6th note. Verify correctness by checking that the relative major key is exactly three half-steps above the minor tonic. If not, the chosen relative major key is incorrect.
