Piano for Beginners 6th ED - 2016 UK

Chords and scales

Db

A

Bb

B

C

These are almost like two scales in one

Melodic minor scales

Melodic minor scales are interesting in that their

ascending form is different to their descending

form. On the way up, they are similar to harmonic

minors, except the sixth note is also raised by a

semitone along with the seventh. On the way down

it is the same as a natural minor scale. Remember

accidentals don’t need to be added after a bar line,

so make sure you check the scale’s key signature. C

minor has three flats – Bb, Eb, and Ab. The Eb is used

throughout the scale but because the sixth and

seventh notes are raised by a semitone, the Ab and

Bb are both raised to naturals. On the way down

they are flats, but the notation need not reflect

these notes as accidentals as the key signature rules.

“Remember that accidentals don’t need

to be added after a bar line”