What is the difference between a harmonic minor scale and a natural minor scale?

Question

While there is one form of the major key scale, minor key scales are known to have a couple variants in structure. What differentiates them?

Answer 1

To answer your question let's first look at the intervals of the regular minor scale.

The natural minor scale contains the intervals 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

In the key of A minor, that would be A B C D E F G.

If you wanted to play A harmonic minor, you'd take that same scale and raise the b7 to a natural 7.

So the intervals would be 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7. It's the same scale but with a raised 7nth.

The notes would then be A B C D E F G#.

Hope this helps! Cheers.

Answer 2

There are three types of minor scales you need to know: Melodic minor (major scale with b3), Natural minor (aeolian* minor), and harmonic minor (major scale b3, b6). Note both the melodic and harmonic minor scale include the leading tone.

C melodic minor: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B,

C harmonic minor: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B

C natural (aelioan) minor: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

*aeolian=Greek Mode meaning 6th degree of major scale