For this reason we can say that F natural minor is the relative minor of Ab major. This is the same key signature as the key of Ab major. Looking at our newly created F natural minor scale, we can see that we have 4 flats in the scale, and so the key signature would read Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db. The natural minor scale is related to a major scale because it shares the same key signature as a major scale. In our example above using the F major scale, this means we will be lowering the A (the 3rd) to Ab, the D (the 6th) to Db, and the E (the 7th) to Eb. In order to create a natural minor scale, we simply start with the major scale and lower the 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees by a half-step. In other words, they are all versions of a minor scale, with slight but significant differences among each. Natural, harmonic, and melodic minor are simply various forms of the minor scale. Let's start with an F major scale.Īs you can see in the scale above, each note of the major scale is given a number (a scale degree) which represents its placement or order within the scale. Many students find it easiest to begin with a major scale and use that major scale as a reference point.
#All natural harmonic and melodic minor scales how to#
in this article, we will learn the differences, as well as how to construct, the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales. In our article "Relative and Parallel Minor," we explained the often confusing terms that are associated with the minor scale.