Basic Music Theory
One weird thing about this scale is that it’s different going up than it is
coming down.
On the way up, the 6th and 7th degrees of the natural minor scale are
raised a half step, and on the way down they’re lowered again. Pretty
strange, isn’t it?
In the example, I took the A Major scale (3 sharps), added three flats
(they cancel the sharps) and got a key signature with no sharps or flats
(the key of a minor). Then I raised the sixth and seventh degrees
ascending, and lowered them again descending.
Example 24.5 The a melodic minor scale.
Moving On
The information in this chapter can be confusing, and many students find
it a little challenging to wrap their brain around these concepts, so don’t
be surprised if you have to go back through it several times before it
makes sense. Keep at it.
Coming up in the next chapter are modes, two of which you already
know: the Major and minor scale.
Chapter 24 Review
- What are the three types of minor scale?
- How do you make a natural minor scale?
- Which notes of the major scale are lowered to
make the natural minor scale?
- Natural, harmonic,
melodic
- Add 3 flats to the
key signature of a
Major scale and
use the same
starting note
- 3rd, 6th, 7th
