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. IntroductionIn 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 CSince 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 ScaleBesides 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 ConstructedThe 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 SongsSome 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. ConclusionThe 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.
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