Minor key

Definition

A minor key is a musical scale that is characterized by a specific arrangement of whole and half steps, resulting in a sound that is often described as darker or more somber than its major counterpart. The natural minor scale consists of seven notes, with the interval pattern being whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. This key often conveys emotions such as sadness or introspection and plays an essential role in the harmonic structure of music, particularly in Western classical and contemporary genres.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Minor keys are identified by their key signatures, which typically include fewer sharps or flats than their major counterparts.
2. The relative major key of a minor key is located a minor third above it and shares the same key signature.
3. In harmonic minor scales, the raised seventh note creates a stronger pull to the tonic chord, making it vital for establishing harmony.
4. The tonic chord in a minor key is usually a minor triad, which contributes to the overall darker quality of music composed in this mode.
5. Commonly used in various genres, including classical, jazz, and pop music, minor keys evoke different emotional responses depending on their context.

Review Questions

• How does the interval structure of a natural minor scale differ from that of a major scale?
  • The natural minor scale has a different interval structure compared to a major scale. In the natural minor scale, the pattern consists of whole and half steps as follows: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. This results in a flattened third, sixth, and seventh compared to the major scale. In contrast, the major scale has a pattern of whole and half steps arranged as: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
• What role does the raised seventh note play in the harmonic minor scale within a minor key?
  • The raised seventh note in the harmonic minor scale plays a crucial role in enhancing harmonic resolution within a minor key. By raising this note by a half step compared to the natural minor scale, it creates what's known as a leading tone. This leading tone significantly increases the tension that resolves to the tonic chord when used in harmonic progressions. It allows composers to create more dramatic and compelling music by emphasizing the return to the home chord.
• Evaluate how composers use different types of minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic) to convey emotion and atmosphere in their compositions.
  • Composers utilize different types of minor scales—natural, harmonic, and melodic—to evoke various emotions and atmospheres in their works. The natural minor scale tends to convey somberness or introspection due to its darker sound. In contrast, the harmonic minor scale introduces tension through its raised seventh note, allowing for dramatic resolutions and heightened emotional impact. The melodic minor scale's unique ascending and descending patterns provide flexibility for composers to create varied melodic lines that can express both melancholy and hope. This versatility makes minor keys an essential tool for conveying complex emotional narratives in music.

Related terms

natural minor scale:

A scale consisting of seven notes that follows the interval pattern of whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, creating a distinctive sound associated with minor keys.

harmonic minor scale: A variation of the natural minor scale that raises the seventh note by a half step, creating a leading tone that enhances resolution to the tonic.

melodic minor scale:

A scale that raises both the sixth and seventh notes when ascending and reverts to the natural minor form when descending, providing a unique melodic contour.