Knowra Minor scale Minor scale A family of seven-note scales whose tonic is separated from the third scale degree by a minor third. Its principal forms are natural, harmonic, and melodic minor.
Minor third : A musical interval spanning three semitones, such as C to E-flat. It is the defining interval between a minor scale’s tonic and third degree.
Natural minor scale : A seven-note scale following the pattern tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone. It supplies the unaltered baseline form of the minor scale.
Relative key : A major and minor key that share a key signature but have different tonics. Each natural minor scale shares its pitches and signature with a relative major.
Major scale : A seven-note scale with a major third above its tonic and a characteristic whole- and half-step pattern. Its tonic third differs by one semitone from the defining minor third.
Tonic (music) : The tonal center of a musical key or passage, often perceived as its point of rest. The minor scale’s intervals are measured from this central pitch.
Harmonic minor scale : A minor scale with a raised seventh degree, creating an augmented second between its sixth and seventh degrees. Its raised seventh strengthens the leading tone’s pull toward the tonic.
Parallel key : A major and minor key that share the same tonic but use different key signatures. Comparing parallel keys isolates the effect of changing major scale degrees to minor.
Dorian mode : A mode with a minor third and sixth degree, but a major sixth relative to its tonic. It resembles natural minor but differs at the sixth degree.
Scale degree : A note’s numbered position within a scale, counted upward from the tonic. Scale-degree numbers identify which notes change across minor forms.
Melodic minor scale : A minor scale traditionally raised on the sixth and seventh degrees ascending and natural descending. Its ascending form smooths the augmented second found in harmonic minor.
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