Major and Minor Scales
Understanding Scales
Scales are organized sequences of notes that form the foundation of melody and harmony. The two most common types of scales in Western music are major and minor scales. Each has its own unique pattern of whole steps and half steps that give it a distinctive sound.
The Major Scale
The major scale has a bright, stable sound and is the foundation of Western music. It follows a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H): W-W-H-W-W-W-H. This pattern creates the characteristic "happy" or "bright" sound of major scales.
Major Scale Pattern
Starting from any note, follow this interval pattern to build a major scale:
Root → W → W → H → W → W → W → H → Octave
Or in scale degrees: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
C Major Scale
The C major scale uses only white keys on the piano, making it the easiest to visualize:
Notes: C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
Intervals: C→D (W), D→E (W), E→F (H), F→G (W), G→A (W), A→B (W), B→C (H)
Scale Degrees and Their Functions
Stable Tones (Consonant):
- 1st (Tonic): Home base, most stable
- 3rd (Mediant): Defines major quality
- 5th (Dominant): Strong, stable
Active Tones (Dissonant):
- 2nd (Supertonic): Tends to move to 1 or 3
- 4th (Subdominant): Tends to move to 3
- 6th (Submediant): Tends to move to 5
- 7th (Leading Tone): Strongly pulls to 1
The Natural Minor Scale
The natural minor scale has a darker, more melancholic sound compared to major scales. Its pattern is: W-H-W-W-H-W-W. The key difference from major is the lowered 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees.
Natural Minor Scale Pattern
Starting from any note, follow this interval pattern to build a natural minor scale:
Root → W → H → W → W → H → W → W → Octave
Or in scale degrees: 1 - 2 - ♭3 - 4 - 5 - ♭6 - ♭7 - 8
A Natural Minor Scale
A minor is the relative minor of C major (shares the same key signature - no sharps or flats):
Notes: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Intervals: A→B (W), B→C (H), C→D (W), D→E (W), E→F (H), F→G (W), G→A (W)
Types of Minor Scales
There are three forms of the minor scale, each with different characteristics:
1. Natural Minor (Aeolian Mode)
Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W | Uses: ♭3, ♭6, ♭7
Most common in modern pop and rock music
2. Harmonic Minor
Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-1½-H | Uses: ♭3, ♭6, natural 7
Raises the 7th degree to create a stronger leading tone (used in classical music)
3. Melodic Minor
Ascending: W-H-W-W-W-W-H | Descending: Natural minor
Raises 6th and 7th ascending, returns to natural minor descending
Major vs. Minor: The Key Difference
The most important difference between major and minor scales is the third scale degree:
- Major 3rd: 4 half steps from root (bright, happy sound)
- Minor 3rd: 3 half steps from root (darker, sadder sound)
- This single interval change creates the emotional difference between major and minor
- All other scale degrees can be the same, but the 3rd is what defines the scale quality
Interactive Practice
What is the next note in this C major scale?
Which scale has a half step between its second and third notes?
Relative and Parallel Keys
Relative Keys
Relative major and minor scales share the same key signature but have different tonics. They contain the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
- C Major and A Minor (no sharps/flats)
- G Major and E Minor (1 sharp: F♯)
- F Major and D Minor (1 flat: B♭)
- To find relative minor: Go down 3 half steps from major tonic
- To find relative major: Go up 3 half steps from minor tonic
Parallel Keys
Parallel major and minor scales share the same tonic note but have different key signatures and different notes.
- C Major and C Minor (same tonic: C)
- G Major and G Minor (same tonic: G)
- A Major and A Minor (same tonic: A)
- Parallel keys have different emotional qualities despite sharing the same starting note
- Common in music for dramatic contrast (mode mixture)
Building Scales in Any Key
Once you understand the pattern, you can build major and minor scales starting from any note. Here's how:
Building a Major Scale
- Start with your root note
- Apply the pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
- Add accidentals as needed to maintain the pattern
- Example: G Major = G-A-B-C-D-E-F♯-G
Building a Natural Minor Scale
- Start with your root note
- Apply the pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
- Add accidentals as needed to maintain the pattern
- Example: D Minor = D-E-F-G-A-B♭-C-D
Daily Practice
Practice these exercises to master major and minor scales:
Basic Exercises
- Play and sing the C major scale ascending and descending
- Practice the A minor scale, focusing on the half steps
- Compare the sound and feeling of major vs minor scales
- Build major scales starting on different notes
Advanced Exercises
- Try to identify scales in your favorite songs
- Practice finding relative major/minor pairs
- Build scales in all 12 keys
- Practice scales in different positions on your instrument
- Sing scales while playing to develop ear training