signature as its relative major. One way to assist in recognising the difference between a
major and a minor scale is to think of a major scale as happy and a minor scale as sad.
A natural minor scale has exactly the same notes as its relative major scale although it
starts a minor third down.
Modifications are made to the natural minor scale by way of accidentals depending on
whether the harmonic minor or the melodic minor scale is being played.
In the case of the harmonic minor the leading note (seventh) is sharpened by a semitone
ascending and descending.
In the case of the melodic minor the note before the leading note (sixth)
and the leading note (seventh) are each sharpened by one semitone on the way up only.
The melodic minor scale was said in earlier times to be easier to sing than the harmonic
minor scale although Mozart had no problem with asking singers to sing the harmonic
minor scale.
MODERN PIANO
The modern piano exists in two forms: the grand piano and the upright piano. Almost
every modern piano has 88 keys (seven octaves and a minor third, from A0 to C8). Many
older pianos only have 85 keys (seven octaves from A 0 to A 8 ). Some manufacturers,
such as Blüthner, extend the range in one or both directions.
Grand pianos have the frame and strings placed horizontally, with the strings extending
away from the keyboard. The grand piano hammers strike upwards and return by gravity,
hence their return will always remain more consistent then the vertical hammers thus
giving the pianist better control of his or her playing. All grand pianos have a repetition
lever, a separate one for each key, which catches the hammer close to the key as long as
the keys are played repeatedly and fairly quickly in this position. With the hammer
resting on the lever, a pianist can play repeated notes, staccato notes and trills with much
more speed than is possible on an upright piano.
The grand piano is a large instrument for which the ideal setting is a spacious room with
high ceilings for proper resonance. There are several sizes of grand piano: a concert
grand 2.2m to 3m long, a parlour grand 1.7m to 2.2m long and the baby grand which may
be shorter than it is wide. Longer pianos have a better sound and lower inharmonicity of
the strings. This is partly because the strings will become closer to equal temperament in
relation to the standard pitch with less stretching. Full size grand pianos are used for
public concerts with smaller grand pianos often being chosen for domestic use where
space and cost are considerations.
Upright pianos have the frame and the strings placed vertically, extending in both
directions from the keyboard and hammers. It is harder to produce a sensitive action on
upright pianos because the hammers move horizontally and the vertical hammer action is