Minor Scale Patterns
In my basic guitar theory lesson 2, we learned the pattern that every major scale was based on (remember the WWHWWWH), and in lesson 3 we learned that the 6th note of the scale was the relative minor. Knowing this, we have a new pattern for our minor scale. Before, the C scale (CDEFGABC) had the first formula applied to it. Now that we know that A minor is the relative minor of the C scale (6th note in the C scale), there is a new formula for the A natural minor scale (ABCDEFGA) is – WHWWHWW.
We know that each note in the scale has a certain number value (also called degrees or intervals) assigned to them. Since there are three types of minor scales—natural, melodic, and harmonic—the thing that makes them different are their intervals. The natural minor scale degrees compared to the major (C Natural Minor compared to C Major) would be
C Major: C D E F G A B C
Intervals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C Natural Minor: C D Eb F Gb Ab B C
Intervals: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
The natural minor has flattened 3rd, 6th and 7th notes compared to the major.
C Major: C D E F G A B C
Intervals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C Harmonic Minor: C D Eb F G Ab B C
Intervals: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 8
The harmonic minor has flattened 3rd and 6th notes.
C Major: C D E F G A B C
Intervals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C Melodic Minor: C D Eb F G A B C
Intervals: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 8
The melodic minor has only a flattened 3rd note, however that is only when going up the scale. Going down the scale, the melodic minor is the same as the natural minor.
Here is the most common natural minor scale pattern that I use, the tonic notes filled in.
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