The Minor Scale is the second most important scale (next to the major scale).
It is formed from the 6th degree of the Major Scale. It is called the Natural
Minor Scale and the Aeolian Mode. If you have read Lesson 14 then you know about
this scale already. What you do not know is that it is the basis for two more
scales. These scales are the Harmonic Minor Scale and the Melodic Minor Scale.
The Harmonic Minor Scale is the same as the Natural Minor Scale except that
it has a raised 7th degree. The Melodic Minor Scale raises the 6th and 7th.
Look at the chart below (It uses the A Minor Scales).
Scale Degrees
| |
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
VII |
| Natural Minor Scale |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
| Harmonic Minor Scale |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G# |
| Melodic Minor Scale |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F# |
G# |
As you can see, the scales are slightly different. This means that the chords
that work with these scales are also different. Let's take a look at what chords
you can play from each degree of the scales.
Chords
| |
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
VII |
| Natural Minor Scale |
A min |
B dim |
C maj |
D min |
E min |
F maj |
G maj |
| Harmonic Minor Scale |
A min |
B dim |
C aug |
D min |
E maj |
F maj |
G# dim |
| Melodic Minor Scale |
A min |
B min |
C aug |
D maj |
E maj |
F# dim |
G# dim |
| As you can see, many of the chords change, but there are more
that you can use. the chart below shows 7th chords. When looking at the
chart below you will see some min/maj7 chords. These chords are 7th chords
with a lowered 3rd, which tells you that it is a minor chord, and a regular
7th as opposed to a flat 7th which you use in dominant and minor 7th chords. |
Legend
| maj |
Major |
| min |
Minor |
| dim |
Diminished |
| aug |
Augmented |
|
7th Chords
| |
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
VII |
| Natural Minor Scale |
A min7 |
B min7b5 |
C maj7 |
D min7 |
E min7 |
F maj7 |
G7 |
| Harmonic Minor Scale |
A min/maj7 |
B min7b5 |
C maj7#5 |
D min7 |
E7 |
F maj7 |
G# dim7 |
| Melodic Minor Scale |
A min/maj7 |
B min7 |
C maj7#5 |
D7 |
E7 |
F# min7b5 |
G# min7b5 |
|
The nice thing about the minor system is that you can use these chords like
your regular progressions. For example, when you use the Natural Minor Scale
you can play a I-IV-V progression with A minor, D minor, and E minor. You can
also use the Harmonic Minor Scale and play a I-IV-V using A min/maj7, D min7,
E7.
In Lesson 3 I had you memorize patterns for the scales and modes. If you know
the Aeolian mode, then you know the Natural Minor Scale pattern. The best way
to learn the Harmonic Minor Scale, and the Melodic Minor Scale is to know the
Aeolian mode, and then raise the notes that change every time you come across
them. This is much easier that memorizing a new pattern. You will remember it
even better if you write out the pattern yourself. If you still do not know
the scale patterns, go to Lesson 3 on modes. It will help you out.