Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Theory Trainer

Exercise 9bSharps, flats, and key signatures.

Three Forms of Minor Scales

Every minor scale has three forms:

• Natural (or pure)


• Harmonic


• Melodic

Each form has the same tonic note and key signature but its specific arrangement of whole steps and half steps
is different. Each form begins with the same five notes ascending from the tonic.
The natural(or pure)form of the minor scale, like the major scale, will utilize the sharps or flats (never
both) of the key signature. The natural minor scale may be drawn using three methods.
Method 1:The arrangement of whole and half steps is W H W W H W W.Notice that the half steps are
between notes 2 and 3, and 5 and 6. For example:

Method 2:Using the minor Circle of Fifths, locate the letter name of the tonic and apply the accidentals of the
key signature, if any, according to the scale’s placement clockwise or counterclockwise around the circle.

223

MINOR SCALE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HS HS

W H W W H W W