Minor Major Relations Major and minor scales are related in two ways: 2. Relative scales have the same key signature. 1. Parallel scales begin on the same note. Examples: C major C D E F G A B C c minor C D E F G A B C ♭ ♭♭ Examples: E major E F G A B C D E c minor C D E F G A B C ♭♭ ♭ ♭ ♭ ♭♭ ♭
Minor Forms Unlike major scales which only have one form, each minor scale has three forms. Natural minor Harmonic minor Melodic minor
Natural Minor The natural minor has the same key signature as its relative major with no changes. Example: C Major = CDEFGABC a minor = ABCDEFGA
Harmonic Minor The harmonic minor is the same as the natural minor with a raised (sharped) 7 th. Examples: a natural minor = a b c d e f g a a harmonic minor = a b c d e f g ♯ a
Melodic Minor The melodic minor has a raised 6 th and 7 th going up, but is the same as the natural minor going down. Example: a melodic minor = a b c d e f ♯ g ♯ a g ♮ f ♮ e d c b a
Minor Form Identification If there are no changes from the relative major key, then it is a Natural minor scale. If the 7 th note has been raised, then it is a Harmonic minor scale. If the 6 th and 7 th notes going up are raised but not raised going down, then it is a Melodic minor scale.