(MNS) Minor Scales Module Overview

Minor Scales Module Overview

05_MinorScale_WordCloud.pngA minor scale is a type of scale that sounds different from a major scale because it is constructed using a different pattern of half and whole steps. There are three forms of the minor scale; natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. In this module we will learn how to build minor scales by patterns of half and whole steps as well as by key signatures. Included in our discussion of minor scales, we will study the circle-of-5ths, relative keys and parallel keys.

Essential Questions

  • How do you construct a natural minor scale?
  • How do construct a harmonic minor scale?
  • How do you construct a melodic minor scale?
  • How do minor key signatures work? - What are relative keys?
  • What are parallel keys?
  • What are the proper names given to the notes of the minor scales?
  • What is the circle-of-5ths for minor keys?

Key Terms

  1. Circle-of- 5ths - is a visual representation of the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor keys.
  2. Half step - is the smallest musical interval commonly used in music.
  3. Harmonic minor scale - a scale whose pattern of half and whole steps is W-H-W-W-H-(W+H)-H
  4. Key signature - is a set of sharp or flat symbols placed together at the beginning of the musical staff to determine the key.
  5. Melodic minor scale - a scale whose pattern of half and whole steps ascending is W-H-W-W-W-W-H and descending is W-H-W-W-H-W-W.
  6. Natural minor scale - a scale whose pattern of half and whole steps is W-H-W-W-H-W-W.
  7. Parallel key - is the key which has a different key signature but the same note name.
  8. Relative key - is the key which has the same key signature but a different note name.
  9. Whole step - is an interval spanning two half steps.

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