This is a whole other article (which I’ve written! Click to learn about changing solfege to notes.). It’s a step and a half apart! Solfege To Notes The most significant difference is in the extra-large gap from the 6th to the 7th. In basic terms, this is a natural minor scale with a raised 7th scale degree. This minor scale is the least common of the three and has a unique sound. Harmonic minor is based on modal tendencies. This gives it a complete feeling with the “standard” 6-7-8. On the way up, the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised a half step. On the way down or descending, the melodic minor scale is precisely the same as the natural minor scale. Without getting into too much detail on the “whys,” let’s look at how it works. This was also born out of the need to alter pitches to better fit in chords and harmonic progressions.

In actual music, natural minor doesn’t sound as “natural” as you’d think.īy altering pitches depending on the motion of the melody (thus, melodic minor), composers get a feeling of completion. The intervals are the same as we listed before.ġ – W – 2 – H – 3 – W – 4 – W – 5 – H – 6 – W – 7 – W – 8 Melodic Minor They just start on the pitch and move with the natural order of the relative major. We call these minor scales natural minors. To go back from minor to major, you look at the minor key’s 3rd scale degree.

The relative minor of every Major key is always the 6th degree. Now, let’s look at the relative minor of C, which is A. Minor scales start on what would be the 6th scale degree of the related minor. It’s as if the intervals have shifted to the left.ġ – W – 2 – H – 3 – W – 4 – W – 5 – H – 6 – W – 7 – W – 8 Relative Minor **The 8th scale degree is the same as the 1st, just up an octave. Major scales are built from 7 different pitches in the following interval pattern.ġ – W* – 2 – W – 3 – H – 4 – W – 5 – W – 6 – W – 7 – H – 8** Minor scales are considered the opposite of Major scales. Final Thoughts How Do Minor Scales Work?.

Solfege chromatic hand signs