F minor scale: natural, harmonic and melodic

F minor scale: natural, harmonic and melodic

The F natural minor scale is the basic form of the minor scale. It follows a specific pattern of whole steps (tones) and half steps (semitones). The pattern is:
  • Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole
Starting from F, the notes are:
  • F
  • G
  • A♭
  • B♭
  • C
  • D♭
  • E♭
This scale has three flats: A♭, D♭, and E♭.

F harmonic minor scale​

The F harmonic minor scale is similar to the natural minor but has one change. A half step raises the seventh note. This means E♭ becomes E natural.

The notes are:
  • F
  • G
  • A♭
  • B♭
  • C
  • D♭
  • E
Now, the scale has only two flats: A♭ and D♭.

F melodic minor scale​

The F melodic minor scale changes when going up (ascending) and coming down (descending).

Ascending (Going up)​

When going up, both the sixth and seventh notes are raised by a half step. So, D♭ becomes D natural, and E♭ becomes E natural.

The notes are:
  • F
  • G
  • A♭
  • B♭
  • C
  • D
  • E

Descending (Coming Down)​

When coming down, the scale returns to the natural minor form. The sixth and seventh notes are lowered back to their original flats.

The notes are:
  • F
  • E♭
  • D♭
  • C
  • B♭
  • A♭
  • G
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