Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic & Melodic
The three forms of the minor scale — natural, harmonic and melodic — and how each one differs.
Explainer
Every major scale has a relative minor sharing the very same key signature — it starts on the 6th degree of the major scale (A minor is the relative minor of C major).
There are three forms of the minor scale, each with a slightly different formula.
Natural minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-W (the plain relative-minor notes). Harmonic minor: W-H-W-W-H-WH-H (the 7th degree is raised). Melodic minor (ascending): W-H-W-W-W-W-H (both the 6th and 7th degrees are raised).
Worked examples
A natural minor
A B C D E F G A — the plain relative minor of C major, no sharps or flats.
A harmonic minor
A B C D E F G♯ A — the 7th degree (G) is raised to G♯, giving a strong pull to the tonic.
A melodic minor (ascending)
A B C D E F♯ G♯ A — both 6th and 7th degrees (F and G) are raised on the way up.