Minor Keys (Music): Help needed, Please?

In the ascending melodic minor mode, the third note of the scale is flattened. For example, C minor: C, D, Eflat, F, G, A, B, C.

In the descending melodic minor mode, the sixth and seventh notes are also flattened. C minor again: C, Bflat, Aflat, G, F, Eflat, D, C.

In the harmonic minor mode, the third and sixth notes are flattened in both ascending and descending modes. C minor yet again: C, D, Eflat, F, G, Aflat, B, C.

I hope this is helpful. 🙂

I understand this thanks! I think i’m going to pick harmonic minors for my scales! (thank God I have that choice)

In the ascending melodic minor mode, the third note of the scale is flattened. For example, C minor: C, D, Eflat, F, G, A, B, C.

In the descending melodic minor mode, the sixth and seventh notes are also flattened. C minor again: C, Bflat, Aflat, G, F, Eflat, D, C.

In the harmonic minor mode, the third and sixth notes are flattened in both ascending and descending modes. C minor yet again: C, D, Eflat, F, G, Aflat, B, C.

That’s far more clever than most bassists are supposed to be. Well… It’s far too clever for me anyway. Then again, I can’t really play! 😀

Paul

I have the same problem. This is the system I use – mathematical rather than musical so don’t mention it to your teacher!

First count three notes up, including black notes, that gives you your key signature. A, count three notes bring you to C, A minor has the same key signature as C major, no sharps or flats. C, count three notes, E flat, C minor has the same key signature as E flat major, three flats.

Then

Harmonic – play it as the key signature, but sharpen the leading note (seventh) on the way up and down. C minor, three flats, but B flat is the leading note so gets sharpened to B natural.

Melodic – play it as a major scale on the way up, but flatten the third because that is what minor scale are all about. C minor, as C major but with an E flat. On the way down just play it as the minor key signature.

As I say, the musical explanation is rather different but that has worked for me.

Good luck

Paul

In the ascending melodic minor mode, the third note of the scale is flattened. For example, C minor: C, D, Eflat, F, G, A, B, C.

In the descending melodic minor mode, the sixth and seventh notes are also flattened. C minor again: C, Bflat, Aflat, G, F, Eflat, D, C.

In the harmonic minor mode, the third and sixth notes are flattened in both ascending and descending modes. C minor yet again: C, D, Eflat, F, G, Aflat, B, C.

I hope this is helpful. 🙂

“Minors are just the sadder sounding version of the majors”. (quote Phil Collins).