Minor Scales - Natural, harmonic and melodic explained

The minor scales are explained in this music theory video.

The natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale and melodic minor scale are all discussed and explained. Examples of each of the scales are given using the D minor scale.

The natural minor scale follows the key signature on both the ascending and descending parts of the scale. It is the easiest scale to remember and has a gentle, modal-like quality to its sound. The improvised example demonstrates this. However, the scale lacks a strong “pull” towards the tonic note in order to establish the key.

The harmonic minor scale establishes this missing strong sense of key by the fact that it has a raised 7th note (also known as the leading note). The key signature is the same as the natural minor scale, but the 7th note is sharpened by means of an added accidental. In the case of D minor, the 7th note is a C natural and so this becomes a C sharp for the harmonic minor scale. The improvised example composition in the harmonic minor demonstrates how the leading note “pulls” the tonality of the music towards the tonic and so clearly establishes the key.

The melodic minor is the most complicated of the 3 minor scales. On the ascending scale, it has a raised 6th note and 7th note which gives a very strong pull towards the tonic note. However, on the descending scale the melodic minor reverts back to the natural minor scale. Once again, an improvised example is played that shows the added harmonic interest that the melodic minor brings.

There is also a performing task and a composition task for students to have a go at to reinforce their understanding of the minor scales.

[tientv]

It never ceases to amaze me how music is often linked to emotions yet it is so strictly structured like math, and science! Thanks to this great vid of yours, very clear to understand even tho english is not my native language.

[dumpsta-divrr]

Showing how the harmonic scale changed the feel of your improvisation was really smart, it helped me understand the point of this a lot.

[valuedhumanoid]

My Goldfish are named Major, Minor, Dorian, Lydian and Diminished. The only way I can tell them apart is by their scales.

[AnnetteMurphyger]

It is great to hear the difference between the 3 scales.

[nedludd]

D Minor Melodic Scale plays normal B on the way up, B flat on the way down - Head Explodes 🤯😱😱😱

[janini]

Improvisation:
Natural: 01:29
Harmonic: 02:53
Melodic: 04:21

[arthurvangraan]

Full scale played:
Natural: 01:12
Harmonic: 02:27
Melodic: 03:42

Improvisation:
Natural: 01:29
Harmonic: 02:53
Melodic: 04:21

[MsZine]

Wow, you may not understand this, but I'm a very new piano student, and I totally get this lesson. Thank you so much for your very clear to understand lesson 😊

[piratepudge]

Instead of Harmonic minor, I called it "Egyptian note" haha I'm talking about that C#. It sounds like an Egyptian song when you play A, Bb, C# and D.

[cntrolman]

Wow. Thenk you Ben. I just found your channel. I was taught piano as a child in grade school and these lesons are exactly what i was taught. Im 60+ now and getting back into music. Thsnk you for the music lessons, these are very informative and easy to understand.

[alanalam]

Just checked out your website (completely free), you are doing God's work, Sir. Thank you for your contribution to democratising music education.

[cyrilsaji]

The improvisation on the d minor was so touching. How did you do that🥲

[lawrencetaylor]

It was helpful to play that improv piece using the different scales. I really have to train my ear better, and that helps a lot. Merci.

[dumki]

watching this before my theory midterm

[MegaPunkslayer]

Thanks so much! Great video, really put things into perspective. Also your improvisation skills are off the charts!

[angelamwatts]

I just want to say thank you for your videos. I am a vocalist training for a professional choir. I must learn music theory and sight singing in order to pass the audition. I hired a private vocal teacher who teaches me both vocal lessons and music theory. I depend heavily on your yourtube videos to learn music theory faster as I need to focus heavily on vocal technique. Auditions are only once a year and I didn't pass last year. I went for the audition and prepared for it as best that I could but in all fairness, I was not yet ready. The pandemic pushed everything back.

I learned key signatures very fast after I watched your video. This enabled me to progress forward faster. Now I'm learning minor scale vocsls. It's wonderful to have this music education on YouTube for free. In sight singing the 6th note is La and 7th note is Ti. So for me I just apply sight singing theory to the minor scales and it works 🙂

Thank you very much. I'm hoping that this August, I will pass the audition but if not, I'll try again next year. I think that the choir director admires my determination to get into that choir. At the moment, I sing in my local church choir which is nice but a it's a different protocol.

Thomas Edison kept trying and thank God that he did otherwise we might still be using candles 😁.

[patriciaadams]

Listening to ALTIN GÜN, and found your site which was a CONFIRMATION of 50 year old music theory knowledge, to better appreciate World music. Thanks!

[riskwise]

Thank you for this post. It may not be your bag but Yngwie Malmsteen was interviewed years ago, and he said something like "I like to use harmonic runs, and melodic, oh and diminished... but kind of put them together so they are one kinda scale" ! His words were similar to that!
I like the fact you used D minor. I rarely touch a piano or keyboard these days (no access to one) but when I see one I go for it, and I'm either doing D minor or that pentatonic C blues scale. I think I have to use F major to transition (can't recall now - it kind of just happens!)
But D minor is relative to F major, so I think I head up there, and then get into A somehow (A is the 3rd note of F major?) if that makes sense! It sounds good anyway!

[robinnelsonwicks]

Clear examples . You are a great teacher!

[libralonglegsart]

Helpful explanations and the improv was lovely!