Natural Minor Scale

Music Theory

Lesson 32 - Natural Minor Scale

I. Index 1. Introduction 2. Playing the Natural Minor Scale Starting on C 3. Other Names for the Notes of the Minor Scale 4. Understanding How a Natural Minor Scale is Constructed 5. How Does the Natural Minor Scale Apply to Songs 6. Conclusion II. Content 1. Introduction In this lesson, you will learn about the natural minor scale. The natural minor scale is often used to create sad sounding songs. 2. Playing the Natural Minor Scale Starting on C Since there are 12 different key names on the piano keyboard, there are 12 possible natural minor scales. Let's first look at a natural minor scale that starts on C, which is called a C natural minor scale. Below are the notes of the C natural minor scale. C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C Below is an animation of the C natural minor scale being played. 3. Other Names for the Notes of the Minor Scale Besides naming the notes of the natural minor scale by their letter name (i.e. C, D, E, F, G, A, B), you can name the notes based on its position in the natural minor scale. This is useful when talking about natural minor scales in general, and not specifically about the C natural minor scale. You can name the notes of the scale using Roman numberals. For example: the first note is represented by the Roman numeral I (one), the secone note is represented by the Roman numeral II (two), the third note is represented by the Roman numeral III (three), and so on. Notice that this is exactly the same naming convention used for the major scale. You can name the notes of the scale using the description of its position in the scale. Notice that the first note is not called the first, but instead, it is usually called the root. Also, the eighth note is not called the eighth, but instead, is is usually called the octave (Italian for 8). You can also name the notes by using scale degrees. For example: the first note is called the Tonic, the second note is called the Super-Tonic, the third note is called the Mediant, and so on. Notice that this is exactly the same naming convention used for the major scale with one exception. In the natural minor scale, the seventh note is called the Subtonic, not the Leading Tone as in the major scale. I_________Root_________Tonic II________Second_______Supertonic III_______Third________Mediant IV________Fourth_______Subdominant V_________Fifth________Dominant VI________Sixth________Submediant VII_______Seventh______Subtonic (called the Leading Tone in the major scale) I_________Octave_______Upper Tonic 4. Understanding How a Natural Minor Scale is Constructed The minor scale is made up of whole steps and half steps. A half step is any two notes with no notes between them. A whole step is any two notes with one note between them. Take a look at the illustration below of the C minor scale and notice where the half steps and whole steps are located. The keys of the piano keyboard in the illustration below have been spread out so that you can easily see where the half steps and whole steps are located. The whole steps are located between C/D, Eb/F, F/G, Ab/Bb, and Bb/C. The half steps are located between D/Eb, and G/Ab. We can use this pattern of whole steps and half steps to find the minor scale on all 12 keys. Below is a list of the minor scales starting on all 12 keys. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F# G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab 5. How Does the Natural Minor Scale Apply to Songs Some sad sounding songs are written using notes of the natural minor scale. When a song is written in the natural minor scale, most if not all of its melody notes as well as harmony chord notes come from that scale. 6. Conclusion The natural minor scale can be used to create sad sounding songs. What gives the natural minor scale its identity is its patterns of whole steps and half steps. In this lesson, you have learned how to play the C natural minor scale. There is a natural minor scale for each of the 12 keys. Custom Search

I. Index

1.  Introduction

2.  Playing the Natural Minor Scale Starting on C

3.  Other Names for the Notes of the Minor Scale

4.  Understanding How a Natural Minor Scale is Constructed

5.  How Does the Natural Minor Scale Apply to Songs

6.  Conclusion

II. Content

1. Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn about the natural minor scale. The natural minor scale is often used to create sad sounding songs.

2. Playing the Natural Minor Scale Starting on C

Since there are 12 different key names on the piano keyboard, there are 12 possible natural minor scales. Let's first look at a natural minor scale that starts on C, which is called a C natural minor scale.

Below are the notes of the C natural minor scale.

C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C

Below is an animation of the C natural minor scale being played.

3. Other Names for the Notes of the Minor Scale

Besides naming the notes of the natural minor scale by their letter name (i.e. C, D, E, F, G, A, B), you can name the notes based on its position in the natural minor scale. This is useful when talking about natural minor scales in general, and not specifically about the C natural minor scale.

You can name the notes of the scale using Roman numberals. For example: the first note is represented by the Roman numeral I (one), the secone note is represented by the Roman numeral II (two), the third note is represented by the Roman numeral III (three), and so on. Notice that this is exactly the same naming convention used for the major scale.

You can name the notes of the scale using the description of its position in the scale. Notice that the first note is not called the first, but instead, it is usually called the root. Also, the eighth note is not called the eighth, but instead, is is usually called the octave (Italian for 8).

You can also name the notes by using scale degrees. For example: the first note is called the Tonic, the second note is called the Super-Tonic, the third note is called the Mediant, and so on. Notice that this is exactly the same naming convention used for the major scale with one exception. In the natural minor scale, the seventh note is called the Subtonic, not the Leading Tone as in the major scale.

I_________Root_________Tonic

II________Second_______Supertonic

III_______Third________Mediant

IV________Fourth_______Subdominant

V_________Fifth________Dominant

VI________Sixth________Submediant

VII_______Seventh______Subtonic (called the Leading Tone in the major scale)

I_________Octave_______Upper Tonic

4. Understanding How a Natural Minor Scale is Constructed

The minor scale is made up of whole steps and half steps.

A half step is any two notes with no notes between them.

A whole step is any two notes with one note between them.

Take a look at the illustration below of the C minor scale and notice where the half steps and whole steps are located.

The keys of the piano keyboard in the illustration below have been spread out so that you can easily see where the half steps and whole steps are located.

The whole steps are located between C/D, Eb/F, F/G, Ab/Bb, and Bb/C.

The half steps are located between D/Eb, and G/Ab.

We can use this pattern of whole steps and half steps to find the minor scale on all 12 keys.

Below is a list of the minor scales starting on all 12 keys.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb

B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C

Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db

D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D

Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb

E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E

F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F

F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G

Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab

5. How Does the Natural Minor Scale Apply to Songs

Some sad sounding songs are written using notes of the natural minor scale. When a song is written in the natural minor scale, most if not all of its melody notes as well as harmony chord notes come from that scale.

6. Conclusion

The natural minor scale can be used to create sad sounding songs. What gives the natural minor scale its identity is its patterns of whole steps and half steps. In this lesson, you have learned how to play the C natural minor scale. There is a natural minor scale for each of the 12 keys.

Custom Search

Recommended Stuff

Free Sheet Music Preview

Search your Favorite Songs below:

Watch Free Video Tutorials:
Black Key Groups , White Key Names , Five Fingers Exercise , Whole Steps Half Steps

Piano Keyboards & Accessories
Piano-Related Topics
Piano Learning CDs for Beginners
Piano CDs or MP3 Downloads
Download FREE Blank Sheet Music - Single / Double Staff
Download FREE Sheet Music for Beginners

Click on Song Titles below for

Free Sheet Music Preview

Lines,Vines and Trying Times
Fearless
You Raise Me Up
How to Save a Life
Only Hope
Theme from the Simpsons
Star Trek The Next Generation

Breathe
Chariot
Beatles Songs
Imagine
Ebony and Ivory
Harbor Lights

Lesson 1 - Layout of Piano Keys

Watch these two videos, and test your skills using the Keyboard Trainer (below):

Lesson 2 - " Names of White Piano Keys " Lesson 3 - " Names of Black Keys "

Music Tools - Keyboard Trainer
Watch the two videos above and test your keyboard skills here:

1. Press "New Key" button to activate the keyboard trainer
2. A new key will be highlighted on the piano keyboard
3. Select the correct key name by pressing on the button with note name.
(Note: the counter will keep track of your scores)

Five Fingers Exercise

Five Fingers Exercise - Piano Techniques for Beginners
Practice this drill prior to practicing or playing any songs:

Featured Sample Flash Animation - Learn to play Brother John: (click "PLAY" button below)

Piano Keyboards & Accessories

List of Free Piano Lesson:

Free Piano Lessons:

Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced

Lesson 1 - Patterns of Black and White Piano Keys
Lesson 2 - Names of White Keys
Lesson 3 - Names of Black Keys
Lesson 4 - Grand Staff: Diagram of the Piano Keyboard
Lesson 5 - Note Durations
Lesson 6 - Learn How to Play "Brother John"
Lesson 7 - Learn How to Play "London Bridge is Falling Down"
Lesson 8 - Learn How to Play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
Lesson 9 - Playing the Major Chord
Lesson 10-Three Primary Chords
Lesson 11-12 Bar Blues Chord Progression
Lesson 12-12 Keys of Music
Lesson 13-Major Scale
Lesson 14-Intervals
Lesson 15-Chords of the Major Scale
Lesson 16-Circle of Fifths (5ths)
Lesson 17-Chord Inversions
Lesson 18-Double Chord Pattern
Lesson 19-Broken Chord Pattern
Lesson 20-Arpeggio Chord Pattern
Lesson 21-Sounds of the Orient
Lesson 22-Mysterious Sounds
Lesson 23-Arpeggios
Lesson 24-Learn How to Play "America"
Lesson 25-Learn How to Play "Silent Night"
Lesson 26-Learn How to Play "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
Lesson 27-Playing the Minor Chord
Lesson 28-Three Secondary Chords
Lesson 29-Dominant 7th Chord
Lesson 30-Major 7th Chord
Lesson 31-Minor 7th Chord
Lesson 32-Natural Minor Scale
Lesson 33-Chords of the Natural Minor Scale
Lesson 34-Melody as Octaves
Lesson 35-Root Chord Pattern
Lesson 36-Adding Harmony Notes in the Right Hand"
Lesson 37-Major Chord Inversions"
Lesson 38-Chord Inversion Straddles"
Lesson 39-Learn How to Play "The First Noel"
Lesson 40-Learn How to Play "Auld Lang Syne"
Lesson 41-Learn How to Play "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Lesson 42-Diminished Chord
Lesson 43-Augmented Chord
Lesson 44-6th Chords
Lesson 45-Sus2 Chords
Lesson 46-Sus4 Chords
Lesson 47-Major 9th Chords
Lesson 48-Major 11th Chords
Lesson 49-Major 13th Chords
Lesson 50-Borrowed Chords (Coming Soon!)

Or, SEARCH below: Piano-Related Topics

Featured Sample Flash Animation - Learn to play London Bridge is Falling Down

(click "PLAY" button below)

Virtual Piano Keyboard (ZebraKeys' Z-Board) USE Zebra Keys' Z-Board to practice what you have learned from the "PIANO LESSONS" sections, or from the "Learn Songs" section below. (Note: You must have Flash 8 or higher to use this keyboard!)

"Learn Songs"
- Click on any of the titles below to WATCH the animation demo and learn how to play the song:
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Silent Night
The First Noel
Auld Lang Syne

START practicing some of these songs online using Virtual Piano Keyboard (ZebraKeys' Z-Board) above, or your own piano keyboard at home. Click below to browse piano keyboards and accessories:

Black Key Groups

Lesson 1 - Layout of Piano Keys
Watch this video and test your skills using the "Keyboard Trainer" below:

White Key Names

Lesson 2 - Name of White Keys
Watch this video and test your skills using the "Keyboard Trainer" below:

Music Tools - Keyboard Trainer
Watch two videos above and test your skills here:
Name the highlighted key appeared on the piano keyboard, then select the correct key name corresponding to that piano key.

Music Tools - Note Trainer
Test your note reading skills here.
Name the music note appeared on the music staff, then select the correct note name corresponding to that music note.

More FREE Online Interactive Music Tools:

Interval Ear Trainer
Scale Ear Trainer
Chord Ear Trainer
Virtual Piano Chord Chart
Virtual Piano Keyboard

Download Free BLANK Sheet Music - Single / Double Staff

Download Free Sheet Music - Bach

Download Free Sheet Music - Beethoven

Download Free Sheet Music - Click any of the song titles below:

Fur Elise
Moonlight Sonata
Ode to Joy
The Entertainer
Greensleeves
Ballade