Understanding Minor Scales

What is the relationship between major and minor scales?

• They are completely unrelated.

• They share no common notes.

• Every major scale has a relative minor scale.

• Minor scales are just major scales played backwards.

How can you find the relative minor of a major scale?

• By going down two semitones.

• By going up two semitones.

• By going down three semitones.

• By going up three semitones.

What is the key signature of D major and its relative minor, B minor?

• One sharp

• Two sharps

• No sharps or flats

• Three sharps

What is the defining characteristic of a natural minor scale?

• It is different on the way up and down.

• It has a lowered sixth note.

• It is the same as a major scale but starts on a different note.

• It has a raised seventh note.

How is a harmonic minor scale different from a natural minor scale?

• The fifth note is lowered by a semitone.

• The sixth note is raised by a semitone.

• The seventh note is raised by a semitone.

• The scale is played in reverse.

In a harmonic minor scale, what happens if the seventh note is already sharp?

• It becomes flat.

• It becomes natural.

• It becomes double sharp.

• It remains the same.

What is unique about the melodic minor scale?

• It is the same as the harmonic minor scale.

• It is different on the way up and down.

• It has no sharps or flats.

• It is only used in jazz music.

When writing a melodic minor scale, what happens to the sixth and seventh notes on the way up?

• They are doubled.

• They are lowered by a semitone.

• They remain unchanged.

• They are raised by a semitone.

Why do composers use the harmonic minor scale?

• It has fewer notes than other scales.

• It is easier to play on the piano.

• It creates more tension and resolves better.

• It is the oldest scale.

What is the main reason for the existence of different types of minor scales?

• To provide different harmonic and melodic possibilities.

• To simplify music theory.

• To confuse students.

• To make music sound more complex.