This document discusses minor scales and keys. It explains that relative keys share the same key signature, while parallel keys have different key signatures but the same tonic. There are three types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic. The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh scale degree, while the melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degrees ascending but uses the natural minor form descending. Fingerings for various minor scales on the keyboard are provided.

1. Chapter 7
Minor Scales and Keys

2. Relative key signatures
• Major/minor pairs that share the same key
signature are said to be relative
(Ex. “a minor is the relative key of C Major”)
• The key signature will be identical in terms
of number and placement of accidentals

3. Relative Key Signature

4. Parallel Key Signatures
• Parallel major/minor keys share the same
tonic but have different key signatures and a
different arrangement of whole and half
steps.
(Ex. “c minor is the parallel key of C Major”.
C minor has 3 flats and C major does not have
any flats/sharps.)

5. Minor Scales
• There are three types of minor scale:
– Natural (pure)
– Harmonic
– Melodic
• You will not need to know the order of
whole and half steps IF you know the key
signature and rules for the scale.

6. Natural minor
• The natural minor scale (like the major scale)
is a diatonic scale with a minor key
signature, with no other accidentals required
• Half-steps are re-mi (2-3)and sol-la (5-6)
• WHWWHWW

7. Harmonic minor
• This scale is the most often encountered
minor scale!
1. begin with the natural minor
2. raise the seventh scale degree(7th, ti) by one
half-step.
- Be SURE to raise the seventh ONLY in the scale
and NOT in the key signature (ALWAYS appears as
an accidental)
- In flat keys a raised seventh may use a natural, not
a sharp (and in sharp keys may need a double-
sharp)… take care to note the key signature!

8. Examples of Harmonic minor scales
(2 Octaves & fingerings on Keyboard)
A Harmonic minor scale:
D Harmonic minor scale:
E Harmonic minor scale:

9. Melodic minor
• The melodic minor incorporates different
rules when ascending or descending!
• The ascending melodic minor:
1. Begin with the natural minor
2. Raise the seventh(7th, ti)(harmonic minor)
3. Raise the sixth (6th, la)by one half-step.
• Descending melodic minor:
• Use the natural minor (pure) form!

10. Melodic minor
• raised sixth and seventh ascending
• natural minor descending
• Please use the reminder accidentals for the
descending melodic minor for clarity

11. A minor scales
Fingering on Keyboard
Fingering #
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

12. Fingering on Keyboard
(ANatural minor scales)
for RH

13. Fingering on Keyboard
(AHarmonic minor scales)
for RH

14. Fingering on Keyboard
(AMelodic minor scales)
for RH