In music theory, a minor scale has a flattened third degree compared to the major scale. This means the third note of a natural minor scale is lowered by one semitone. So for example, the C minor scale has an Eb rather than an E natural. This flattened third gives minor scales their distinctive sound.
However, some minor scales have additional flattened notes besides just the third. The most common is the harmonic minor scale, which also has a flattened seventh degree. But there is one type of minor scale that only has a single flattened note – the natural minor.
The Natural Minor Scale
The natural minor scale is the most basic type of minor scale. It is built by starting on the 6th degree of the major scale and playing the same sequence of whole and half steps. This results in a scale with the following pattern of whole and half steps:
Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole
For example, the C major scale is:
C D E F G A B C
If we start on the 6th degree, A, and play the same sequence of steps, we get:
A B C D E F G A
This forms the A natural minor scale. As you can see, compared to the C major scale, it has a flattened 3rd degree (C instead of E). But besides that one flattened note, the rest of the scale is the same.
So in summary, the natural minor scale has only one flattened note – the 3rd scale degree. All other notes are the same as the major scale.
Why the Natural Minor has Only One Flat
The reason the natural minor scale only has a flattened third compared to the major scale is because of the way it is derived – by starting on the 6th note of the major scale.
The major scale has a very specific sequence of whole and half steps that was defined centuries ago. This sequence is:
Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half
For example, in C major:
C to D – Whole step
D to E – Whole step
E to F – Half step
F to G – Whole step
G to A – Whole step
A to B – Whole step
B to C – Half step
This pattern of seven notes with this sequence of steps is what defines the sound of the major scale.
When we build a natural minor scale by starting on the 6th degree of the major scale, we retain this same sequence of steps. The only difference is we start on a different root note.
So because the natural minor adheres to the same step pattern, it retains most of the same notes as its relative major. The only exception is the 3rd scale degree, which gets flattened compared to the major scale.
In short, the natural minor was designed in a way that minimally differs from the major scale in order to create a new mood while mostly retaining the original step pattern. And the easiest way to do this was to flatten just one note – the 3rd.
Examples of Natural Minor Scales
Here are some examples of natural minor scales and how they relate to the major scale:
– A natural minor: A B C D E F G A. Its relative major is C major. Compared to C major, it has a flattened 3rd (C instead of E).
– E natural minor: E F# G A B C D E. Its relative major is G major. It has a flattened 3rd (G instead of B).
– B natural minor: B C# D E F# G A B. Its relative major is D major. It has a flattened 3rd (D instead of F#).
– F natural minor: F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F. Its relative major is Ab major. It has a flattened 3rd (Ab instead of C).
As you can see, in every case the natural minor scale has just one flattened note compared to its relative major – the 3rd scale degree. All other notes remain the same.
This demonstrates that no matter what the root note is, the pattern holds true – the natural minor scale always has only one flat compared to the major scale.
Comparing Natural Minor to Other Minor Scales
While the natural minor has only one flattened note, other types of minor scales contain additional flattened notes:
– Harmonic minor: Has a flattened 3rd and 7th scale degree
– Melodic minor (ascending): Has a flattened 3rd but with a raised 6th and 7th
– Dorian minor: Has a flattened 3rd and 6th
– Phrygian minor: Has a flattened 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th
This comparison shows that the natural minor scale is unique among minor scale types in having just a single flattened note. The other variants all introduce at least one additional flat.
So when a piece of music or melody is described as being in “minor” without any other specification, it is referring to the natural minor scale. The natural minor can be thought of as the “pure” minor scale before any additional alterations are made.
Importance of the Flattened 3rd in Minor Keys
Now that we’ve established the natural minor scale only has one flattened note, it’s worth discussing why that one alteration – the flattened 3rd – is so important.
The flattened 3rd is the defining characteristic that gives the minor scale its distinctive mood compared to the major. This one change creates a more somber, serious, melancholic feel to the music.
The 3rd scale degree in a key is referred to as the “mediant” and is considered one of the most important scale tones after the tonic and dominant. Changing this one note from major to minor dramatically shifts the emotional effect.
Let’s compare C major to C natural minor:
C major: C D E F G A B
C natural minor: C D Eb F G A B
Even though the Eb is only one flattened note, it changes the mood of the C minor scale to be more serious and solemn compared to the upbeat, bright C major.
This demonstrates how a single alteration – flattening scale degree 3 – is enough to create a new tonal center that is distinctly minor rather than major. This is why in most circumstances, only referring to a key as “minor” implies the use of the natural minor scale.
When the Natural Minor Scale is Used
Given it has only one flat, in what circumstances is the natural minor scale mainly used in music? Here are some of the most common:
– When a piece wants to establish a clear minor tonality, the natural minor provides the simplest form of the minor scale. Pieces that use harmonic minor or melodic minor will often start in the natural minor.
– In vocal music, the natural minor is common because it has no large intervals between scale degrees that are difficult to sing. The harmonic minor’s augmented 2nd interval is particularly unsingable.
– The natural minor works well on guitar and certain other instruments where playing lots of flats can be difficult. The natural minor only requires one flat compared to potentially 4-5 flats in other minor scales.
– Composers sometimes use the natural minor when they want to avoid the leading tone quality of the raised 7th in harmonic minor. The natural minor scale has a more open, ambiguous feel.
– In jazz and rock music, the natural minor scale is common because it has a cleaner, smoother sound for improvisation compared to harmonic or melodic minor.
– Classical pieces will sometimes use natural minor for variation to give parts of the music a lighter, softer minor feel compared to harmonic minor.
So in summary, the natural minor scale tends to be used when composers want the purest, simplest form of minor tonality. Its single flattened 3rd provides the essence of the minor sound without additional complexities.
Classical Pieces in Natural Minor
Many famous classical works incorporated the natural minor scale for all or part of the composition. Here are just a few well-known examples:
– Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, 3rd movement is written entirely in E minor and stays in the natural minor, giving it a melancholy sound.
– Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata 1st movement is in C# natural minor, creating its brooding, contemplative mood.
– Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor primarily uses the D natural minor scale, particularly in its somber opening section.
– Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 is written purely in the E natural minor scale, contributing to its introspective, pensiveness.
– Mozart’s Requiem is mainly in D minor but often uses the D natural minor scale for certain passages to lighten the texture.
– Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished” is in B minor, moving between the natural and harmonic minor throughout for contrast.
As you can see, while not as frequent as harmonic minor, using the natural minor scale was an important compositional tool for classical composers to craft the perfect mournful, melancholic, or introspective effect they wanted. Its single flattened 3rd gave it a unique minor flavor.
Summary
To summarize the key points:
– The natural minor scale has only one flattened note compared to the major scale – the 3rd degree
– It is constructed by starting on the 6th note of the relative major scale and using the same step pattern
– Having only one flat simplifies the scale and creates the essence of minor tonality
– The natural minor is often used for its pure, unembellished minor sound compared to harmonic or melodic minor
– Its distinctive mood comes from the flattened 3rd scale degree
– Many famous classical works incorporated the natural minor scale for all or part of the composition
So in conclusion, among the minor scale variants, the natural minor is unique in having only a single flattened note that starkly contrasts with the major mode. This makes it an indispensable tool for creating memorable melodies and harmonies with a melancholy, serious or introspective character. Understanding the natural minor scale provides deep insight into compositional techniques across musical eras and genres.
Natural Minor Scale Table
| Natural Minor Scale | Flattened Note | Relative Major Scale |
|---|---|---|
| A natural minor | C natural | C major |
| E natural minor | G natural | G major |
| B natural minor | D natural | D major |
| F natural minor | Ab natural | Ab major |
| C# natural minor | E natural | E major |
| F# natural minor | A natural | A major |
| Bb natural minor | Db natural | Db major |
| Eb natural minor | Gb natural | Gb major |
| Ab natural minor | Cb natural | Cb major |
| Db natural minor | Fb natural | Fb major |
Conclusion
In conclusion, among all the types of minor scales, the natural minor scale stands apart in having only a single flattened note compared to its relative major scale. This is what gives it its distinctive, melancholy character that has been utilized by composers across all eras of classical music. Understanding the natural minor scale provides critical insight into musical creativity and expression.