Minor Scales

Minor Scales

Creating and playing minor scales!

What is a minor scale?

Just like our major scale, a minor scale is a collection of pitches arranged in a certain order.

Minor Scale

The minor scale also has a formula of whole steps and half steps, but it is different from the major scale formula.

There are three types of minor scales:

Harmonic Minor

Melodic Minor

Natural Minor

We will be talking about the NATURAL minor scale today.

Natural Minor Formula

W H W W H W W

Take a look at the TOP STAFF.

This is the C natural minor scale!

It follows the formula of

W H W W H W W

C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

Play it!

Play your C minor scale

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct formula for the Natural Minor scale?

• W W H W W W H

• W H W W H W W

Create!

• Let's create a D natural minor scale.

• Start on D!

• Remember: W H W W H W H

• Write down the letter names as we go.

Now, let's put those notes on the staff.

First, draw your 5 lines. Then your treble clef.

We figured out that the scale is

D E F G A Bb C D

Challenge!

Play the D natural minor scale. Use the same fingering you used for C natural minor.