What is Minor Scale?
In music theory, the minor scale is three scale patterns – the natural minor scale (or Aeolian mode), the harmonic minor scale, and the melodic minor scale (ascending or descending) – rather than just two as with the major scale, which also has a harmonic form but lacks a melodic form.
All Types of Minor Scales
Relative Minor Scale
We already learned about relative minor scales which start 3 half steps below its relative major scaleso C minor is the relative minor scale of E♭ major. The E♭ major scale includes the notes E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭, so the C minor scale is C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C.
Parallel Minor Scale
The minor scale that starts on the same note as a major scale is known as its parallel minor scale; so the parallel minor scale of C major is C minor.
Natural Minor Scale
There are three types of minor scales left, the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales. Terminology can get confusing at this point, so understand that:
- Any C minor scale (natural, harmonic, or melodic) is a relative minor scale of E♭ major
- Any C minor scale (natural, harmonic, or melodic) is a parallel minor scale of C major
So far we have only worked with natural minor scales; they always follow the “W H W W H W W” formula.
There is another way to discover the natural minor scale. Start by numbering the notes in a major scale 1 – 7, where 1 corresponds to the first note of the scale, 2 to the second etc; these numbers are known as the scale degree.
What is Major Scale?
A major scale is a diatonic scale. The sequence of intervals between the notes of a major scale is: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. where “whole” stands for a whole tone (a red u-shaped curve in the figure), and “half” stands for a semitone (a red angled line in the figure).
Scientific Basis For Major and Minor
Some individuals of the Mafa population of north western Africa are unfamiliar with western music. However, in one study, they were able to recognize western music as happy, sad, or scarry/fearful. This suggests that aspects of our music innately invoke certain emotions. So why is major so associated with positive emotions and minor associated with negative emotions. Here are some theories:
- Cultural conditioning. Pieces used at celebrations, like the happy birthday song, are written in major keys. While songs used at sad events, like funerals are often written in minor keys.
- Alignment with notes in the harmonic series. Every time you play a note on the piano, pitches resonate above it. These pitches are known as the harmonic series. The notes of a major chord all come from within the first and loudest pitches of the harmonic series. The notes of a minor chord don’t, but contain similar harmonic ratios. Some argue that because of this it creates a “not quite right” sound similar to the “not quite right-ness” of cubism. Not sure if I buy the idea, but here is the full text.