What is a minor scale?

Answer 1

In the western music theory and Jazz theory traditions, there are three main types of minor scales.

In western music theory these scales are understood as follows.

Natural minor - Uses the formula WHWWHWW - This is the same formula as a major scale if you started on the sixth note of the scale and kept ascending or descending to the note an octave above or below it.

Harmonic minor - Natural minor with the 7th scale degree raised by a half step.

Melodic minor - Natural minor with the 6th and 7th scales raised by a half step while ascending. In some western theory debates these same degrees are lowered when descending.

In the Jazz theory tradition, all of these scales are explained as a scale degree relationship to their parallel major keys.

For example,

if C major being C D E F G A B C, in numbers was 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8,

then C natural minor being C D Eb F G Ab Bb C, in numbers would be 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8.

This being true, let's look at these scales in the Jazz tradition. Based on major scale degrees.

Natural minor - 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8

Harmonic minor 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 8

Melodic minor - 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 8 - Or in other words a major scale with the 3rd scale degree flatted.

Answer 2

Minor and Major scales have a relative relationship.

For every major scale, there's a relative minor scale, and for every minor scale, there's a relative major scale.

The Natural Minor: same as major scale, but starts on a different note (the 6th), which is 3 semitones down. It is the easiest minor to write, for it is unchanged and unaltered.

For example: the root of C Major is C. Going lower down the staff (left on the piano) by 3 semitones (B, B flat and A), you're now resting on A. So, A is the root for the minor scale, A minor, which is the relative minor for C Major. And, in reverse, C major is the relative major for A minor.

The Harmonic Minor: same as the natural minor but the 7th note is raised by a semitone.

The Melodic Minor: same as the natural minor scale, however the the 6th and 7th notes are raised by a semitone as the scale ascends, and the descending scale is the same as the natural minor scale.

Answer 3

A minor scale is a series of notes that have a sad or melancholy sound. There are three types of minor scales:

1. Natural Minor Scale: This scale has the same notes as it's relative major scale. In the key of C, the natural minor scale would start on A and would have no sharps or flats just like the key of C.
2. Harmonic Minor Scale: This scale is similar to a natural minor scale, but the 7th degree of the harmonic minor scale is raised.
3. Melodic Minor Scale: The pattern of the ascending scale is different from the pattern of the descending scale. The ascending scale has a raised 6th and 7th. The descending scale is the same as the natural minor scale.