Minor scales

Key idea Every major key has a relative minor that shares its key signature and starts on degree 6. A minor is the relative of C major: A B C D E F G A. Harmonic minor raises degree 7 by a half step (G♯).

Minor scales sound darker than major ones. The natural minor follows whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.

To find the relative minor, go down a minor third (3 half steps) from the major tonic. C → A, G → E, F → D.

• C major and A minor: no sharps or flats
• G major and E minor: F♯
• D major and B minor: F♯ C♯
• F major and D minor: B♭
• B♭ major and G minor: B♭ E♭

Harmonic minor

Harmonic minor raises degree 7 by a half step. The raised 7th is a leading tone, a semitone below the tonic, and pulls toward it. This makes degrees 6 and 7 an augmented second (3 semitones) apart. The raised note is written as an accidental, not in the key signature.

There is one more: melodic minor raises both degrees 6 and 7 going up. You will meet it later.