212 Orchestra

Theory of the Day:

Minor Scales
Each minor has three variations:

1. Natural: this is the "normal" minor scale with half steps between 2/3 and 5/6
2. Harmonic: raised 7th (leading tone)--this scale has half steps between 2/3, 5/6, and 7/8
3. Melodic: we learn about this scale later

Minor are classified in two ways:

1. Parallel: they share the same name. For example D major and D minor are parallel because they both begin with D
2. Relative: they share the same key signature. For example D major and B minor both have two sharps (F# and C#)

To determine the relative minor of a major scale you simple go down an interval of a 3rd. For example a third down from D is B [D, C, B].

8th grade students will have a quiz on this information on Tuesday. I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions, please send me an email or use the theory extra credit under links on the right hand side of the blog.