5.2: Three Forms of the Minor Scale
- Page ID
- 258491
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Key Signatures
When we first learn key signatures, we learn them in relationship to the major key.
For example, if a key signature has two sharps, we either memorize that the key with two sharps is D major, or we use a trick or mnemonic device to help us determine the name of the key.
The "trick" to determine the name of a major sharp key signature is to:
- Find the last sharp.
- Name the last sharp.
- Go up a half step from that sharp.
- The note that is one half step up from the last sharp will be the name of our major key.
The "trick" to determine the name of a major flat key signature is to:
- Find the second to last flat.
- Name that flat (including "flat" in the name).
Test Yourself
Check the answers at the bottom of the page.
This sharp key signature is the key of _____.
This flat key signature is the key of _____.
Relationships
When we start learning about minor keys, we describe them as either being relative or parallel to a major key.
- Relative: When two major and minor scales share the same key signature (i.e. G major and E minor each have one sharp).
- Parallel: When two major and minor scales start on the same note name, but use different key signatures (i.e. G major and G minor).
Three Forms of Minor
This is a solid start to understanding the relationships between major scales (or keys) and minor scales (or keys), but to really understand how they work we will take it a step further. In order to solidly function within the framework of European tonal music, we end up with three different forms of the minor scale:
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
Each of these serves a different purpose and has different characteristics than the others. Why three? How will we remember their differences?
Answers
This sharp key signature is the key of E major.
This flat key signature is the key of E-flat major.