Minor scale

Definition

A minor scale is a seven-note musical scale that creates a darker, more somber sound compared to its major counterpart, characterized by specific intervals that define its unique emotional quality. The natural minor scale follows the pattern of whole and half steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. This scale's structure influences key signatures, provides the basis for sight-singing, establishes scale degree names and functions, and is essential for practicing scales and arpeggios.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The minor scale has three main forms: natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor, each with distinct interval patterns.
2. In key signatures, the relative minor is found a minor third below its major counterpart and shares key signature characteristics.
3. When sight-singing a minor scale, singers often adjust their vocal inflections to capture the emotional quality of the notes.
4. Each degree of the minor scale has specific names and functions such as tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading tone.
5. Practicing scales and arpeggios in a minor key is crucial for developing musicianship skills and understanding tonal relationships.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a minor scale affect its key signature and its relationship to major scales?
  • The structure of a minor scale directly impacts its key signature by determining which sharps or flats are used. Each minor key is related to a major key; specifically, the relative minor is located three half steps below the major tonic. For example, A minor is related to C major. This relationship is vital for understanding how to transition between major and minor tonalities in composition and performance.
• Discuss how sight-singing in a minor scale differs from sight-singing in a major scale.
  • Sight-singing in a minor scale involves recognizing different interval patterns that create a unique sound compared to major scales. The presence of lowered third degrees gives minor scales their distinctive somber quality. Singers must be aware of this emotional nuance while practicing their pitch accuracy and rhythm. Additionally, adjustments in vocal technique may be necessary to effectively convey the character of the minor mode.
• Evaluate the importance of understanding scale degree names and functions within the context of a minor scale for overall musicianship.
  • Understanding scale degree names and functions within a minor scale is crucial for developing comprehensive musicianship. Each degree serves specific roles in harmony and melody; for instance, knowing how the leading tone creates tension that resolves to the tonic helps in composing effective musical phrases. This knowledge also enhances improvisation skills and aids in recognizing chord progressions in various pieces of music. Thus, mastering these concepts allows musicians to navigate both composition and performance with greater confidence.

Related terms

Natural Minor Scale: The basic form of the minor scale that consists of the root note, a whole step to the second degree, a half step to the third degree, and follows the interval pattern of W-H-W-W-H-W-W.

Harmonic Minor Scale: A variation of the natural minor scale that raises the seventh degree by a half step, creating a leading tone that resolves more strongly to the tonic.

Melodic Minor Scale: A scale that ascends with the sixth and seventh degrees raised by a half step, while descending typically reverts to the natural minor form.