Minor Scales in all Keys
By simply following the formula for each type of minor scale, either by scale degrees or pattern of tones and semitones, it is possible to create any of the minor scales from any starting note. E.g. if you know that the natural minor scale contains flattened 3rd, 6th and 7th degrees and you start with the note C, you would come up with the following notes -
If you know that the harmonic minor scale contains flattened 3rd, and 6th degrees, but a natural 7th degree, all you have to do to change the natural minor to the harmonic minor is sharpen the 7th degree by a semitone. Once again if you start with the note C, you would come up with the following notes -
To change the harmonic minor to an ascending melodic minor you need to sharpen the 6th degree by a semitone. Starting with the note C, you would come up with the following notes -
The Classical form of the descending melodic minor is identical to the natural minor. To become familiar with the notes of minor scales in all keys, it is important to write out the three types of minor scales starting on each of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale.
The following examples demonstrate melodies created from the three types of minor scales.
It is also important to be able to transpose melodies in minor keys. The process is the same as for major keys – write the scale degrees under the melody notes and then work out what notes those degrees equate to in the key you want to transpose to. Shown below is an example in the key of A minor with the scale degrees written under the notes.
Here is the same example transposed to F minor. The key signature of F minor contains four flats, but the sixth and seventh degrees of the melodic minor are raised, so the notes D and E will be naturals. Remember to learn the notes of the scale first, then work out the scale degrees.
