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Unlike the major scale, there are several different minor scale formulas.  The three most common minor scales are the natural minor, the melodic minor, and the harmonic minor scales. As with the major scales, once you know the formula to each of these scales you will be able to apply them to any key. The trick with the minor keys is determining wich form type of minor scale to use....



The most common minor scale is the natural minor. The formula for this scale is:

W    H    W    W    H    W    W

(where W = Whole Step and H = Half Step)


An example of this would be the A Natural Minor scale:

      W          H         W         W        H         W         W
       ^          ^          ^         ^         ^         ^          ^    
 A         B           C          D         E          F         G         A





Another minor scale is the melodic minor scale. In classical music, this scale is the same as the natural minor scale, except with the 6th and 7th scale degrees raised a half step when the scale is going up. When the scales is going down, the scale is the same as the natural minor. In jazz, however, the melodic minor is played with a half step both going up and down, which is what the folling formula will produce...

W    H    W    W    W    W    H

(where W = Whole Step and H = Half Step)


An example of this would be the A Melodic Minor scale:

      W          H         W         W        W         W         H
       ^          ^          ^         ^         ^         ^          ^    
 A         B           C          D         E          F#         G#         A


The harmonic minor scale is the most unusual sounding scale as it contains the unusual interval of the Augmented 2nd (A2). The harmonic minor consists of the following formula

W    H    W    W    H    A2    H

(where W = Whole Step and H = Half Step and A2 = Augmented 2nd or a Whole step + a Half Step)


An example of this would be the A Harmonic Minor scale:

      W          H         W         W        H         A2         H
       ^          ^          ^         ^         ^         ^          ^    
 A         B           C          D         E          F         G#         A



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