First, a scale is a series of notes ordered by pitch. A minor scale has a sadder or more emotional sound than a major scale. Scales are used extensively in different music styles to create certain moods. There are three main types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic. Let's check them out.
Natural A minor Scale
The natural minor scale is the most straightforward type of minor scale. It follows a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) between the notes:- Pattern: W – H – W – W – H – W – W
Example in A minor:
- A (root)
- B (whole step up)
- C (half step up)
- D (whole step up)
- E (whole step up)
- F (half step up)
- G (whole step up)
- A (whole step up to complete the octave)
Harmonic A minor scale
This one gets a bit spicy. It raises the 7th note of the natural minor scale by a half step, creating a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic (the main note of the scale).- Pattern: W – H – W – W – H – 1½ steps – H
Example in A harmonic minor:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G# (raised 7th)
- A
Melodic A minor scale
This one is a bit of a shape-shifter. It changes depending on whether you're going up or down the scale. Going up, it raises the 6th and 7th notes of the natural minor scale by a half step. Going down, it reverts to the natural minor scale.- Ascending Pattern: W – H – W – W – W – W – H
- Descending Pattern: W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Example in A melodic minor:
Ascending:- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F# (raised 6th)
- G# (raised 7th)
- A
- A
- G
- F
- E
- D
- C
- B
- A