Natural minor

Minor without alteration

The natural minor scale uses the same notes as the major scale of the relative key, but begins on its sixth degree. In A minor these are the notes A–B–C–D–E–F–G, the white keys of the piano. The pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole means: between the seventh degree and the root lies a whole tone, and that is why the leading tone is missing. The ending sounds more open than in major.

Why there are further forms

In natural minor the chord on the fifth degree is a minor triad, here Em, and it does not pull. That is why composers have long raised the seventh degree, and in the Baroque this is standard: G becomes G♯, Em becomes E major. That is harmonic minor. It has the augmented second between F and G♯, and because that is awkward in the course of a melody, there is melodic minor, which raises the sixth and seventh degrees ascending and returns to the natural form descending. All three forms are on the page A minor in notes and for listening.

Recognising it

In natural minor you hear no leading tone in the dominant. In Scale Ear Training you tell major and natural minor apart at the first level by this characteristic point: in major the major third and the leading tone, in natural minor the missing leading-tone tension.

Common mistakes

• Taking natural minor for the only minor scale: There are three forms.
• Assuming Em works as the dominant in A minor: For an ending it needs the G♯.
• Taking Aeolian for something else: It is the same scale.