THE THREE MINOR SCALES

We already know Natural Minor.

(also known as Aeolian)

But there is also Harmonic Minor ,

And Melodic Minor.

You might be thinking -

                 “what about dorian?”

Even though dorian is in fact another minor scale - and even has that defining beginning minor scale structure (1 2 b3 4 5) - it is a mode of the major scale just like Aeolian, so we’re not going to include it here. They are comprised of the same basic order of whole steps and half steps, just starting at different points.

Harmonic and Melodic minor both have new scale structures (in terms of the pattern of whole steps and half steps).

Notice how they all begin with 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5, but all differ in 6th and 7th degrees.

Harmonic minor has a raised 7th degree, and Melodic minor has both raised 6th and raised 7th scale degrees.

THE THREE MINOR SCALES in A

Natural

Minor

Harmonic

Minor

Melodic

Minor

2. IntervalsIntervals.html
3. Relative and ParallelRelative_and_Parallel.html
4. Intro to ModesIntro_to_Modes.html
1. The Major ScaleThe_Major_Scale.html
Other Scales

PENTATONIC SCALES

Pentatonic scales are 5 note scales (PENTA), and are derived from the major and minor scales. Below is the major pentatonic scale and the minor pentatonic scale, and underneath are the intervals listed from the root.

Major Pentatonic

Minor Pentatonic

these pentatonic scales are used in almost every type of music around the world.

PREVIOUSIntro_to_Modes.html
Intro_to_Modes.html
Intro To ModesIntro_to_Modes.html

C major pentatonic is relative to A minor pentatonic - just like C major is relative to A minor.