This is “Heptatonic Scales: The Major Scale, The Three Forms of the Minor Scale”, section 3.2 from the book Music Theory (v. 1.0). For details on it (including licensing), click here.

For more information on the source of this book, or why it is available for free, please see the project's home page. You can browse or download additional books there. To download a .zip file containing this book to use offline, simply click here.

Has this book helped you? Consider passing it on:
Help Creative Commons
Creative Commons supports free culture from music to education. Their licenses helped make this book available to you.
Help a Public School
DonorsChoose.org helps people like you help teachers fund their classroom projects, from art supplies to books to calculators.

3.2 Heptatonic Scales: The Major Scale, The Three Forms of the Minor Scale

Learning Objectives

  1. The Major scale and its attributes.
  2. The Minor scale and its attributes.
  3. Relative and Parallel Major/Minor.
  4. Scale degree nomenclature.
  5. The evolution of Minor scales: the three forms of the Minor scale

Any initial discussion of scales inevitably centers around these two seven-tone scales employed in the composition of Common Practice music.

The Major Scale

The most common scale pattern used is the Major ScaleA heptatonic (“seven-tone”) scale consisting of the following arrangement: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.. It is an arrangement of whole and half steps as follows:

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
W W H W W W H

Note that half steps occur between scale degrees 3–4 and 7–8. This is shown in pitches and the keyboard in Figure 3.2 "Major Scale, Keyboard and Pitches".

Figure 3.2 Major Scale, Keyboard and Pitches

Audio 2

The Major Scale

(click to see video)

This arrangement of whole steps and half steps is maintained for any major scale on any given starting pitch. Accidentals are used to modify pitches in order to retain this same arrangement of whole and half steps. Compare the samples below to the keyboard diagram. Observe the placement of whole and half steps on the keyboard that maintain the proper ordering.

Figure 3.3 Other Examples of Major Scales

Audio 3

Other Major Scales

(click to see video)

Observe that in each new octave species, some chromatic alteration is required in order to retain the same arrangement of scale steps.

An alternate view of major scale construction is an examination of its constituent tetrachords (from the Greek: “four tones”). Observe that the arrangement of whole and half steps in the first tetrachord are identical to that of the second tetrachord. Both tetrachords are W-W-H separated by a whole step.

So, two mnemonics are suitable for remembering Major scale construction:

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H
  2. Identical tetrachords (W-W-H) separated by a whole step.

The keyboard diagram is another essential tool for familiarization and recognition of major scales. The visual reinforcement of whole step and half step placement will hasten the learning process.

The individual scale steps have specific labels. These terms have come into general use, having their origins in early 18th-century theoryFrench composer and theorist Jean Phillipe Rameau employs versions of these terms in his seminal work Traité de l’harmonie (1728). Our current usage of these terms is adapted from this work. Figure 3.4 "Scale-step Labels" shows the major scale and its accompanying scale step labels.

Scale-Step Labels

Figure 3.4 Scale-step Labels

  1. The first degree of any scale is called the Tonic pitch. This is the pitch that asserts itself over all the others in the collection, the pitch that our ear naturally seeks as being the strongest.These terms will be affiliated with chords in keys as well.
  2. The next strongest pitch is the fifth scale degree, the Dominant. It is considered to be the “polar opposite” of Tonic: whereas Tonic represents stability and sense of conclusion, Dominant represents instability and a sense of tension.
  3. The third scale degree lies halfway between these and so is labeled the Mediant.
  4. Dominant is five scale-steps up from Tonic. Five steps below Tonic is the fourth scale degree, labeled Subdominant.
  5. Since the Mediant lies three steps up from Tonic, three steps down is labeled Submediant (the sixth scale degree).
  6. The second scale degree is labeled Supertonic.
  7. Lastly, the most powerful melodic motion we respond to is the ascending half step, from scale degree seven to the octave. Our ear is compelled to resolve this Leading Tone.

Figure 3.5 Scale-steps in Order of Importance

The Minor Scale

The other heptatonic scale used in Common Practice music is called the Minor ScaleA heptatonic scale having three distinct forms, Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor.. It is arranged as follows:

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
W H W W H W W

Figure 3.6 The Minor Scale

Audio 4

The Minor Scale

(click to see video)

For this example, the pitches are identical to the Major scale example above, re-arranged from scale degree six. Figure 3.7 "Minor Scales on a; on c; Major Scale on C" shows the same Minor scale pattern, but constructed from the same starting pitch. Both are then compared to the Major scale.

Figure 3.7 Minor Scales on a; on c; Major Scale on C

As with major scales, minor scales use accidentals to retain the same “shape” when starting on differing pitches.

Figure 3.8 Other Examples of Minor Scales

Audio 5

Other Minor Scales

(click to see video)

The previous examples demonstrate particular relationships between Major and Minor scales:

  1. Major and Minor scales that have the same pitch content but different starting pitches are said to be relative to one another, for example C major and a minor.
  2. Major and Minor scales that have differing pitch content but the same starting pitch are said to be parallel to one another, for example C major and c minor.

In order to discover the Relative Major/MinorThe relationship between Major and Minor scales wherein they share the same pitch content but have a different order. relationship, follow this procedure:

  1. To find the Relative Minor scale of any Major scale:

    1. Go to the sixth degree (Submediant) of the Major scale.
    2. Re-order the scale content from that pitch.
    3. Think “Major to Minor: up to 6.”

  2. To find the Relative Major scale from any Minor scale:

    1. Go to the third degree (Mediant) of the Minor scale.
    2. Re-order the scale content from that pitch.
    3. Think “Minor to Major: up to 3.”

We do not recommend the “three up or three down” method that is sometimes employed. This leads to confusion on the part of the student. Inevitably, the student will go down the wrong specific pitch distance, or will confuse which relationship is which direction.

In order to discover the Parallel Major/MinorThe relationship between Major and Minor scales wherein they share the same starting pitch but different pitch content. relationship, simply construct major or minor from the same starting pitch.

Relative and Parallel Major/Minor

Relative and Parallel Major/Minor will extend to our discussion of keys in Chapter 4 "Key Sense, Key Signatures, and The Cycle of Fifths".When labeling scales it is customary to use upper case letter names for major and lower case letter names for minor. When hand-drawn, a dash is placed above the letter c only. This should not be used for other lower case letters. These relations commute from each form to the other: one speaks of Major and its relative Minor, or Minor and its relative Major. The same is true for the parallel relationship.

Figure 3.9 Relative and Parallel Scales: Major to Minor and Minor to Major

Audio 6

Relative and Parallel Scales

(click to see video)

Just as the Major scale has labels for its constituent scale-steps, these labels are also used for Minor scales. There is one notable exception: since the distance between scale degree seven and the octave is a whole step, it does not possess the same sensation of required resolution as its major counterpart (the Leading Tone). Therefore it is labeled Subtonic.

Scale-Step Labels for Minor

Figure 3.10 Minor Scale-Step Labels

Earlier, the Leading Tone was described as the most powerful melodic step that we respond to in terms of demanding resolution. This half step between scale degrees seven and eight is not present in the naturally occurring Minor scale. Beginning with its antecedents in early music, the minor sonority was routinely altered to address this perceived flaw.

Harmonic Minor

Composers chromatically raised the seventh scale degree in minor as a matter of routine in order to provide a more powerful melodic resolution. Additionally, this alteration affected the accompanying harmonies, engendering a more powerful harmonic resolution as well.

This led to an additional, altered form of the minor scale. The original diatonic form of the minor scale is called Natural (or Pure) MinorThe naturally occurring diatonic “parent” version of the Minor scale.. Because of its implied harmonic consequence, the altered version (raised 7, or +7) is called the Harmonic Form of the Minor scale, or simply Harmonic MinorThe most commonly used and expected form of the Minor scale. It is altered from Natural Minor by raising the seventh scale degree to artificially create a Leading Tone..

Figure 3.11 Natural and Harmonic Minor

Audio 7

Natural and Harmonic Minor Scales

(click to see video)

The component scale steps for Harmonic minor are:

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
W H W W H (1 + 1/2) H

Observe several properties:

  1. The seventh scale degree is raised in this form of minor. Depending upon the starting pitch and the scale, this may use an accidental in the form of either a sharp sign or a natural sign.
  2. There are three instances of half steps in this form: 2–3, 5–6, and now +7–8.
  3. Because of the alteration the distance between 6 and 7 has been expanded to form a “step and a half.” This was considered to be a melodic “flaw.” While inherent and necessary to the form, it was considered to be “un-singable” and in need of correction in performance practice.

Figure 3.12 Other Examples of Harmonic Minor Scales

Audio 8

Other Harmonic Minor Scales

(click to see video)

Melodic Minor

This perceived melodic flaw in Harmonic minor, the “step and a half” between scale degrees 6 and 7, was subject to routine alteration as well. In order to eliminate this awkward gap, composers routinely raised the sixth scale degree as well as the seventh. Since this was done to correct the perceived melodic flaw, a third form of the minor scale came to be recognized, called the Melodic Form of the Minor scale, or simply Melodic MinorThe second altered version of the Minor scale. It is altered by raising both the sixth and seventh scale degrees..

Figure 3.13 Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales

Audio 9

Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales

(click to see video)

The component scale steps for Melodic minor are:

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
W H W W W W H

Observe several properties:

  1. Both the sixth and seventh scale degrees have been raised. Depending upon the starting pitch and the scale, this uses accidentals in the form of sharp signs, natural signs, or a combination of the two.
  2. The second tetrachord of this scale is identical to the second tetrachord of the Major scale.
  3. It is customary to revert to the Natural minor form when descending. This must be shown using the appropriate accidentals. In some melodic minor scales double sharp signs must be used to alter sixth and seventh scale degrees. When reverting back to Natural minor, a Natural sign followed by a sharp sign is used, not merely a sharp alone.

Figure 3.14 Other Examples of Melodic Minor Scales

Audio 10

Other Melodic Minor Scales

(click to see video)

Before continuing several very important points must be made:

  1. Minor is considered to be only one entity. It is not appropriate to speak of “three separate minor scales,” as if they are inherently different species.
  2. Although one entity, minor has three distinct forms, Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic. These forms evolved to accommodate musical and compositional needs over the evolutionary history of Western music.

  3. The three forms have distinct properties:

    1. Natural (or Pure) Minor has no Leading Tone. This was considered to be an inherent weakness or flaw.
    2. Harmonic Minor seeks to correct this weakness by raising the seventh scale degree, artificially creating a Leading Tone. This in turn generates a melodic flaw in the gap between scale degrees 6 and 7.
    3. This melodic flaw was corrected by raising the sixth scale degree (in the presence of the raised seventh scale degree). Since this yields a second tetrachord equivalent to its Major scale counterpart, this process is undone in its descending form by reverting to Natural Minor.
  4. Lastly, Harmonic minor is the expected, normal form of Minor used by composers in practical composition.

Composers seemed to require the motion from the Leading Tone to the Tonic. Just as much, they seemed to favor the naturally occurring sixth scale degree, the Submediant, “falling” to the Dominant. In the study of music theory, expect to see, expect to hear, and expect to use the Harmonic form of Minor. The unique properties of the other forms are used sparingly and are subject to conditions for their use.

In summary, major and minor scales form the fundamental source sets, and therefore the basis of the compositional language in Common Practice music. All the great music of the recognized master composers employed these same constructs as the basic elements of their compositional language.

Key Takeaways

The student should understand:

  • Taxonomy and nomenclature for scale steps and scale components.
  • The Major Scale and its attributes.
  • The Minor Scale, its three forms and their attributes.
  • Relative Major/Minor, Parallel Major/Minor

Exercises

  1. In your Scale Thesaurus:

    1. Construct Major scales on C, G, F, D, Bb.
    2. Use half notes, ascending only. Use appropriate stem direction.
    3. Label each scale step by scale degree number and mark the half steps.

  2. In your Scale Thesaurus:

    1. Construct Natural Minor scales on a, e, d, b, g.
    2. Use half notes, ascending only. Use appropriate stem direction.
    3. Label each scale step by scale degree number and mark the half steps.

  3. In your Scale Thesaurus:

    1. Construct the Harmonic and Melodic Minor forms for each Natural Minor scale in Exercise 2.
    2. Harmonic Minor, ascending only; Melodic Minor, ascending and descending.
    3. Make sure to use the appropriate accidentals and mark the half steps.