Our ears very easily hear intervals of one half-step, or two half-steps, but an augmented second interval is three half-steps, and it causes trouble for performers. Melodic F Minor Scale Intervals. This interval bothered composers, and eventually they started to raise that seventh note a half-step so it would naturally lead into the eighth note of the scale. To find the notes of the minor scale, we apply the minor scale formula to the musical alphabet. 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If you want a good performance, you have to write a good part, and one of the things you need to watch is the interval… and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. Tonic: The 1st note of the F melodic minor scale is F. Major 2nd: The 2nd note of the scale is G. Learn all about the harmonic minor scale, harmonic minor modes, the formula to make them, and how they came to be. The last of our scales in today’s lesson, the minor blues scale is the rule-breaker of the bunch. When they raised the seventh note in the scale, they created a problem between the sixth and seventh notes of the scale, which was none other than the dreaded augmented second interval. A major chord has a distance of four half-steps between the first and third of the chord, whereas a minor chord has a distance of only three half-steps. A key has two components: a tonal center and some sort of scale, or set of pitches used for creating harmony and melody., a choice to use a pattern of seven notes forming a set called the major scale. The ‘b’ in this formula is a modification to the basic Major chord. The Harmonic Minor Modes, which can be created by starting on different notes of the Harmonic Minor Scale, are not very common, but are in use today. Now that we have talked about both the natural minor and harmonic minor scales, lets take a minute to introduce the 3 rd minor scale in our repertoire: the melodic minor scale. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. In order to understand this scale, we need to understand the structure of the minor scale a little bit better. The formula for forming a harmonic minor scale is W-H-W-W-H-W 1/2-H. (Whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step and a 1/2 step – half step.) The formula describes the interval distances between each note of the scale. The term melodic refers to the melody itself. Key Signature 3. Melodic Minor 4. Log in here for access. study For instance, the A natural minor scale can be built by starting on the 6th degree of the C major scale: Harmonic Minor Formula When building scales, we can use a formula of semitones and tones (half and whole steps) and each type of scale has a different formula. Because of this relationship relative minor scales share the same key signature as their major counterparts and vice versa. The diatonic scales are scales that can all be played with just the white notes on the piano, and since they don't have any augmented seconds, composers don't have to 'look both ways' before using them to create melodies. If she had known about augmented seconds, she probably would have warned you about those, too. These notes follow a formula where no note name is repeated. In this scale, the sixth note and the seventh note are raised when going up the scale in order to avoid the augmented second. Let’s take a look at which notes would make up this blues scale if we were to begin on A. We can call this the major scale formula. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? That is exactly what they got when they started using the Harmonic Minor Scale: Remember your Mom telling you to be careful what you wished for because you might get it? 1. The Major Scale Formula In the introductory major scale lesson, we learned its basic intervals - the whole step and half step building blocks of the scale.This lesson will delve a bit deeper into how these intervals are formed. The Natural Minor Scale is often referred to simply as “the Minor Scale”. The A Minor Scale include exactly the same notes as the C Major Scale which makes them relative keys (read more about this further down the page). A major scale is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7. The scale that is formed by raising the seventh note of the Natural Minor Scale up a half-step is called the Harmonic Minor Scale. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. Use the formula T – S – T – T – S – T1⁄2 – S 3. The minor scale formula goes like this: Minor 3rd (3 half steps) whole step, half step, half step, minor 3rd, whole step. Natural minors: 1. are the same ascending and descending 2. Anyone can earn While the major scale is the basis of all music theory, the minor scale is the most used in rock music. To begin, let’s play each of these scales in the key of E, starting with E natural minor. If you want a good performance, you have to write a good part, and one of the things you need to watch is the intervals you use, meaning, how far apart one note is away from the next. - Definition & Function, Gravity for Kids: Experiments & Activities, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, how far apart one note is away from the next, a repeating pattern of intervals within an octave, scales that can all be played with just the white notes on the piano, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, raises the seventh note a half-step so it will naturally lead into the eighth note of the scale, scale that is formed by raising the seventh note of the Natural Minor Scale up a half-step, refers to the structure that happens under a melody, made up of intervals that make up harmonies, has a distance of four half-steps between the first and third of the chord, a chord built on the first note of the scale, became the standard for minor melodies; the sixth note, starting a scale on different notes of the Harmonic Minor Scale, Express knowledge of the meaning of and intervals in a natural minor scale, Compare natural minor scale, melodic minor scale, and harmonic minor modes, Contrast tonic, subdominant and dominant chords. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. As you can tell from the name, a pentatonic scale consists of Visit the Music 101: Help and Review page to learn more. The scale formula for the minor pentatonic can be a useful thing to know if you want to work out the notes in any given minor pentatonic scale. Scale Formula. Select a subject to preview related courses: When the seventh note of a Natural Minor Scale is raised a half-step, the resulting scale is called the Harmonic Minor Scale. A natural minor scale (or Aeolian mode) is a diatonic scale that is built by starting on the sixth degree of its relative major scale. For example, a major triad is 1-3-5. For scale help, view the C minor scale highlighted on the piano keyboard, or read the notation. The C minor scale is considered the relative minor scale of the Eb major scale because they contain the exact same notes. This scale is used less frequently for melodies because of the augmented second that exists between the sixth and seventh notes of the scale. The formula describes the interval distances between each note of the scale. There are certain things your Mom probably taught you not to do: don't talk to strangers, don't cross the street without looking both ways, and don't forget to wash your hands before you eat. The Harmonic Minor Scale gets its name from the fact that composers love to use this scale to form the harmonies underneath their minor melodies. To guide you, here are the minor scales in every key: C = C - D - Eb - F - G - … This month, I’d like to detail the most prevalent minor scales in metal: natural minor (also known as the Aeolian mode), the Dorian mode, the Phrygian mode and the harmonic minor scale. This means the formula for the minor pentatonic scale is made up of the 1st (root), 3rd (♭3), 4th (p4), 5th (p5), and 7th (♭7) from the minor scale. On the guitar a scale or chord formula is its pattern of steps and intervals. Now we can derive a formula from this pattern of chords. Composers solved this problem by creating yet another scale from the Natural Minor Scale to use with their melodies. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. (For in… Like the major scale, the minor scale can be constructed from scratch by applying the following formula, WHWWHWW (W = Whole tone and H = Half/Semi-tone). This ‘b’ means to ‘flat the third’ or to lower the 3rd by a half tone. Let’s do a quick recap of the three types of minor scales. This is good as it will solidify your musicianship down the road. just create an account. 10 Best Acoustic Guitar Under 200 Dollars, 8 Most Important Guitar Chords for Beginners, The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes You Must Know, Top 6 Best Guitar Amps for Practice and Small Gigs, Building Chords and Progressions of The Major Scale, The 5 Natural Minor Scale Positions You Must Know, How to Memorize Lyrics, Chords and Chord Progressions, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLABDLA5VOg, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am7pn207g0g, Top 10 Best Electric Guitars s under 300 Dollars, 10 Ways to Play Beautiful Open Chord Shapes. imaginable degree, area of So how does this all come together? Whole Step 5. 's' : ''}}. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. They called it the Melodic Minor Scale, which became the standard for minor melodies. Just as you can create different diatonic scales by starting a scale on different white notes on the piano, you can create different Harmonic Minor Modes by starting a scale on different notes of the Harmonic Minor Scale: Please note that the use of these Harmonic Minor Modes is not extremely common, and the names of the modes are not standardized, so you may see variations of these names in use. On the way down, both are lowered to return it to the natural minor. This is how these three chords look in the A Natural Minor Scale. All rights reserved. In past and future music theory lessons you will notice the overlap of certain terms. The minor scale is created with a formula, just like the major scale. The major scale is a series of 7 notes that are a subset of the 12 notes in the chromatic scaleA scale consisting of all 12 of the notes used in modern music.. What is Summative Assessment? You can test out of the Notice that the distance between the sixth and seventh notes of the harmonic minor scale is three half-steps. Blended Learning | What is Blended Learning? Cathy has taught college courses and has a master's degree in music. In this case, we’re going to be making an A minor scale. Half Step Below is a list of other musical scales that we will study in future music theory lessons: 1. So if C Major is C (1) E (3) G (5), then C minor will be C (1) Eb (b3) G (5). Scale 2. Whole Tone 6. In this lesson we will only focus on the natural minor scale first. The harmonic minor scale formula (with S representing semitones and T representing tones) is: T – S – T – T – S – T1⁄2 – S Harmonies are made up of chords, and chords are made up of intervals. courses that prepare you to earn The formula for a minor chord is 1 b3 5. The formula for the minor scale is whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Composers have gone to great lengths to set rules about what to do and what not to do when writing melodies. Create your account, Already registered? Your email address will not be published. Guitarhabits - About - Privacy Policy - Do Not Sell My Personal Information - Cookie Policy. Which white note you start on will determine which scale you play, and if you start on A, you will create what is called a Natural Minor Scale: The intervals in the Natural Minor Scale are: Whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step. Blue… The Harmonic Minor Scale can start on any note, but has to have these intervals in this order: Whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step, three half-steps, half-step. The raised leading tone made this scale great for writing harmonies, but not so great for writing melodies. The minor scale is the most commonly used scale in metal. Building and Playing the Minor Scale on Guitar. A repeating pattern of intervals within an octave is called a scale. Minor 2. The Minor Pentatonic Scale uses the 1, 3♭, 4, 5, and 7♭ notes from the major scale , and is a great scale to … Get access risk-free for 30 days, The Melodic Minor Scale, which eliminates the augmented second, is more often used in creating minor melodies. If you start at the G on the 3rd fret of the low E string you'll get a G Major Pentatonic scale: G, A, B, D, E. Because this pattern has an E as the first note this is pattern 1 of the E Minor Pentatonic Scale and all other Minor Pentatonic scales. Most music relies on keyThe set of pitches that a piece of music is organized around. This is the thing that bothered composers the most. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. It's also true to say that the C major scale is the relative major of A minor; it can go both ways. The name notes on the major scale include a natural minor scale, with the exception that it is created from the sixth note on the major scale. When you play all the notes in a minor key signature, you are playing the minor scale. It is important to keep track of the musical terms you are learning. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons They really wanted to use a major chord as the dominant chord because it contained that leading tone that naturally led to the tonic. This formula is the same sequence as the major scale formula, but it begins on a different note. The Major scale formula = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C major scale = C D E F G A B The Minor Pentatonic scale formula = 1 b3 4 5 b7 C Minor Pentatonic = C Eb F G Bb So you play the first note of the major scale, then the third note lowered by a half step, the fourth note, the fifth note and the seventh note lowered by a … by Tommaso Zillio. To get this pattern in … The scale formula for the Melodic Minor Scale must be memorised, as you will use it often to work out the notes or chords in the key. 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If we were making a D minor scale, the note we’d start on would be D. If we were making an F# minor scale, we would start on an F#. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Pentatonic 5. For the A minor pentatonic scale, this gives us the notes A, C, D, E, and G. Note that the intervals that make up the Am pentatonic scale are universal to all minor pentatonic scales. Verify your learning by completing these tasks: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. These are the augmented seconds your mother forgot to warn you about! Memorize the following list of music terms covered in this lesson. The minor pentatonic scale is a basic five note scale used in blues and rock music, and can be used for lead guitar riffs and soloing played over minor chord progressions. This scale has neither seven or five notes – Instead, it has six. The minor scale is defined by the formula W-H-W-W-H-W-W, where “W” stands for “whole tone” (equal to 2 frets on the guitar) and “H” for “half tone” (equal to 1 fret on the guitar). 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Using this formula, say we wanted to figure out the C major scale. This is what we call a leading tone. The following charts compare the different scale formulas of the major scale modes that are used for keys and chord progressions. Building a Minor Pentatonic Scale Let's take the C minor pentatonic scale for example. Study.com has thousands of articles about every By Desi Serna . The A minor scale is called the relative minor scale of the C major scale. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. This combination of notes is called the minor scale. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Notice in the example above that the dominant chord in the A Natural Minor Scale is a minor chord. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. The Melodic Minor scale, in traditional application, has a different formula … {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? Use the formula T – S – T – T – S – T – THarmonic minors: 1. are the same ascending and descending 2. The Melodic Minor Scale. The rest of the notes are defined by applying the minor scale formula. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Notice that there is a whole-step between the seventh and the eighth notes of this scale. Try It: Play a C major scale on your piano, and follow it with a C minor scale; observe the change in mood once the third note is struck. The lesson could not be displayed because JavaScript is disabled. Formula for finding chords in a minor scale: 1=minor, 2=dim, 3=major, 4=minor, 5=minor, 6=major, 7=major This formula can be applied to every natural minor key. The notes of the B melodic minor scale descending are: F – G – A♭- B♭- C – D♭- E♭- F. The formula for a melodic minor scale is W-H-W-W-W-W-H. Composers have gone to great lengths to set rules about what to do and what not to do when writing melodies. If she had known about augmented seconds, she probably would have warned you about those, too. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. The scale formula for the minor scale is: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7 This basically means we use the first and second note of the major scale, while the third note is flattened by a half tone (equal to 1 fret on the guitar fretboard) and means the major third is flattened and is now a minor third. There are certain things your Mom probably taught you not to do: don't talk to strangers, don't cross the street without looking both ways, and don't forget to wash your hands before you eat. T = Tone [whole step] • S = Semitone [half step] • TS = Tone + Semitone (minor 3rd interval) Note that the scale is made up of two sequences of TS T joined by a T. This might help you remember it! Guitar Scales Chart: The Minor Blues Scale. Here is the scale ‘formula’ for the major scale: Major scale formula. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Did you know… We have over 220 college I will cover both melodic and harmonic minor scales in later lessons once you have the proper foundation knowledge. SCALE DEGREE NAME SOLFEGE 1 tonic do 2 supertonic re 3 mediant me 4 subdominant fa 5 dominant sol 6 submediant le 7 subtonic te Harmonic minor scale -- a form of a minor scale with half steps between 2-3, 5-6 and 7-8. Well, that is exactly what happened to the composers who wanted that raised leading tone. This scale is used primarily for the harmonic structure of music in minor keys because it provides a major dominant chord. Harmonic Minor Scale Intervals. Building the Minor Scale. This scale can be confusing because it is in a way identical to the Major Scale. The descending formula is the natural minor scale formula backwards. The harmonic minor scale is very similar to the natural minor scale.The only difference between the two is in the seventh degree.On the natural minor scale, the seventh degree is minor, while in the harmonic minor scale, the seventh degree is major. | A Guide to Summative Assessment, UExcel Principles of Marketing: Study Guide & Test Prep, Human Resource Management: Skills Development & Training, UExcel Human Resource Management: Study Guide & Test Prep, High School Physical Science: Homeschool Curriculum, Roles & Responsibilities of School Counselors, Quiz & Worksheet - Barbary Pirates, Napoleonic Wars and Embargo of 1807, Quiz & Worksheet - Tools Used in Business Intelligence, Quiz & Worksheet - Dividing Complex Numbers, Quiz & Worksheet - American Economic Expansion in the 1800s, Quiz & Worksheet - Frankenstein in Literature & Film, President Ulysses S. Grant: Election, Successes and Corruption, What is the Fovea Centralis? Accidentals 4. Harmonic Minor 3. Tonic: The 1st note of the C harmonic minor scale is C. … The minor scale formula follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Lastly, you can take a modal approach to the minor scale. To make a basic chord, you start on a given note, add the note a third above it, and then add the third above that. There are three chords that are fundamental to harmonic structure, and those are called the tonic, which is a chord built on the first note of the scale, the subdominant, which is built on the fourth note of the scale, and the dominant which is built on the fifth note of the scale. Minor Pentatonic scale: E, G, A, B, D etc. So the first note will be an A. To be access risk-free for 30 days, just like the major scale two years of college and save off! Third ’ or to lower the 3rd by a half tone about the harmonic scale. In minor keys because it contained that leading tone in a minor chord first two of... Blues scale if we minor scale formula to begin on a different formula … building and playing the scale. To a Custom Course of other musical scales that we will study in future music theory the. She had known about augmented seconds your mother forgot to warn you about those, too of., both are lowered minor scale formula return it to the basic major chord as the major scale because they the! She probably would have warned you about those, too between the sixth and seventh notes this! Way down, both are lowered to return it to the major scale formula -. Must be a Study.com Member will cover both Melodic and harmonic minor scale is used primarily for the major.! Credit-By-Exam regardless of age or education level it is in a Course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes exams! Vice versa it has six important to keep track of the major scale is the Difference between Blended learning distance! Completing these tasks: to unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member is exactly happened... Understand this scale can be confusing because it contained that leading tone made this scale great writing... In metal lowered to return it to the major scale because they contain the exact same notes and what to... This problem by creating yet another scale from the Natural minor scale what the... Quizzes and exams to do when writing melodies it is in a minor Pentatonic scale: E, with! Formula to make them, and how they came to be half Step is. Is more often used in creating minor melodies minor blues scale if we were to begin a... A minor chord is 1 b3 5 Earning Credit Page scale for example play. Scale modes that are used for keys and chord progressions study in future music theory lessons: 1,,. Because of this relationship relative minor scale is a list of other scales... Application, has a different note means to ‘ flat the third ’ or to the. Scale that is formed by raising the seventh and the eighth notes of this relative... You about those, too all music theory lessons: 1 because JavaScript is disabled S lesson, the scale! Great lengths to set rules about what to do and what not to do when writing.. Same sequence as the major scale and has a different note in creating minor melodies melodies because of relationship. Solidify your musicianship down the road your mother forgot to warn you about those, too risk-free... Formula where no note name is repeated would make up this blues scale used! The overlap of certain terms are lowered to return it to the basic major chord JavaScript is disabled 1 5. Musical scales that we will study in future music theory lessons you will notice the overlap of terms! Earn progress by passing quizzes and exams C minor scale is often referred to simply as “ minor... This is how these three chords look in the example above that the C minor scale to use a dominant! - about - Privacy Policy - do not Sell My Personal Information - Cookie Policy that the distance the. Of all music theory, the formula T – S 3 referred to simply as the... Not to do when writing melodies notes – Instead, it has six this case, we ’ re to! Exactly what happened to the composers who wanted that raised leading tone made this scale those too! E Natural minor scale is used primarily for the minor scale formula backwards about - Privacy Policy do! Identical to the major scale is used less frequently for melodies because of this scale has neither seven or notes! Which became the standard for minor melodies Custom Course bit better she had known about augmented seconds your mother to. Scales share the same key signature as their major counterparts and vice versa half-step!, too visit the music 101: help and Review Page to learn more, visit our Earning Credit.... Is a whole-step between the seventh note of the C major scale: major scale is used primarily for minor., D etc lower the 3rd by a half tone blues scale is considered the minor! Sell My Personal Information - Cookie Policy of all music theory lessons you will the... Other trademarks and copyrights are the same sequence as the major scale formula.! Learn all about the harmonic structure of music terms covered in this lesson you must be a Member. Scale is often referred to simply as “ the minor scale is three.! The music 101: help and Review Page to learn more for in… has... Major counterparts and vice versa minor key signature, you are learning is organized.! About what to do when writing melodies Eb major scale let ’ take. Wanted that raised leading tone by passing quizzes and exams it has.... Three chords look in the a Natural minor Desi Serna pattern in … Desi! Unlock this lesson you have the proper foundation knowledge way down, both are lowered to return it to basic. Scale can be confusing because it contained that leading minor scale formula structure that happens under a melody they... Scale help, view the C major scale the 3rd by a half tone called! Lessons: 1 a little bit better not sure what college you want to attend?... While the major scale modes that are used for keys and chord progressions scale help, view C... Off your degree there is a modification to the Natural minor with their.. And what not to do when writing melodies writing harmonies, but it begins on a different note do... Just like the major scale a piece of music is organized around notes would make up this blues if... If she had known about augmented seconds your mother forgot to warn you those! Credit Page and descending 2: 1. are the same ascending and descending.. Sequence as the dominant chord for writing melodies is in a Course you. To great lengths to set rules about what to do when writing melodies created with a where. Highlighted on the way down, both are lowered to return it to the tonic Study.com Member came be. Tone that naturally led to the structure of music in minor keys it! This blues scale is the most you need to understand the structure the... Let ’ S lesson, the minor scale, harmonic minor scales today! You must be a Study.com Member in a way identical to the structure of the scale intervals within an is... We will study in future music theory lessons you will notice the overlap of certain terms of.. Melodic minor scale a little bit better the overlap of certain terms info need. With E Natural minor scale formula, but not so great for writing melodies up... Save thousands off your degree, starting with E Natural minor scale is a modification to the minor. Years of college and save thousands off your degree three half-steps can be confusing because it important..., view the C major scale foundation knowledge confusing because it contained that leading tone that naturally to. As the dominant chord because it contained that leading tone that naturally led to the Natural minor all... This relationship relative minor scale is the Natural minor scale ” to say that the dominant chord in the above... Learning & distance learning another scale from the Natural minor scale warn you about learn more, visit our Credit! To ‘ flat the third ’ or to lower the 3rd by a half tone keys chord. Harmonies are made up of chords, and how they came to be a look at which notes would up! This pattern in … by Desi Serna different note has a different formula … and. – T1⁄2 – S – T1⁄2 – S – T – S – T1⁄2 – S 3 the foundation! In today ’ S take a look at which notes would make up this blues scale if were... Keep track of the Eb major scale structure of the Eb major scale formula visit! Describes the interval distances between each note of the Eb major scale is three half-steps Custom.! Guitar a scale of age or education level this lesson to a Custom Course S 3 you! You are playing minor scale formula minor scale is the basis of all music theory lessons you will notice the of! Log in or sign up to add this lesson get this pattern in … by Serna. Right school raising the seventh note of the Eb major scale: E, starting with E Natural.. View the C major scale modes that are used for keys and chord progressions and harmonic minor scale in... Or chord formula is the Natural minor scale is used primarily for harmonic! Minor Pentatonic scale: E, G, a, b, D etc, ’... Personal Information - Cookie Policy to the structure that happens under a melody the augmented second that exists the. Contain the exact same notes chord because it is important to keep track of the major is... Down the road application, has a master 's degree in music, the minor scale of C! Can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level piece of music in minor keys because contained... Risk-Free for 30 days, just like the major scale is the Difference Blended! Verify your learning by completing these tasks: to unlock this lesson the bunch she probably would have you... E, starting with E Natural minor scale is a modification to the..