Introduction
The natural minor scale is one of three minor scales (the others being the harmonic minor and melodic minor). Although not as common as the other two, it is extremely useful to know, at the very least because it provides the basis for deriving the other two minor scales. The natural minor scale follows a particular pattern of whole steps and half steps (i.e. formula) which gives it the quality that we call “natural minor”.
As a quick example, here is a very simple natural minor scale, the “A Natural Minor”.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to comfortably build a natural minor scale starting on any note. Ready? Let’s go!
Building a Natural Minor Scale
We can build a natural minor scale in one of two ways: using a formula (i.e. pattern of whole steps and half steps) or using its relative major scale. Let’s take a look at each of these methods in turn.
Method #1: The Formula
All scales follow a specific pattern of whole steps and/or half steps (i.e. a formula), and the harmonic minor scale is no exception. The “formula” for the harmonic minor scale looks like this:
Method #2: The Relative Major Scale
As you might know from music theory, every natural minor scale has what is called a “relative major” scale associated with it. These two scales will always share the same key signature. This means that as long as we know the key signatures of our major scales well, it will be exactly the same for their relative minor scales!
If this sounds unclear or complicated, don’t worry! We will work through several examples together below.
REMINDER
When naming notes of any scale, we are not allowed to repeat the same letter name twice in a row! For example, if our first note is an F and we need to move up a half step, we cannot name the next note F♯, as that would be repeating the same letter name. Instead, we have to name it G♭. F♯ and G♭ are what we call enharmonic equivalents (two notes that share the same pitch), but when naming scale notes, only one version is correct!
Putting It to Practice
Now that we have a basic idea of the two methods we can use to build a natural minor scale, let’s practice by doing several examples.
Example 1: "A Natural Minor Scale"
1. Using the Formula
One of the easiest natural minor scales to build and play is the “A Natural Minor”. Like the “C Major” scale, it only uses the white keys on the piano and has no sharps or flats. If we play every single white key from one A to the next A, we will discover that it fits perfectly within our natural minor scale formula. Let’s take a look:
A to B gives us a whole step, B to C is a half step, C to D is a whole step, D to E is a whole step, E to F is a half step, F to G is a whole step, and G to A is a whole step. This means that the “A Natural Minor” scale is made up of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and A (we always repeat the tonic note when we play a scale).
2. Using the Relative Major Scale
Now, let’s build the same scale using our second method – the relative major scale. There are two steps to this process.
Step 1: Find the relative major of "A Minor"
The quickest way to find the relative major of any minor key is to simply count up 3 half steps.
Counting 3 half steps from A brings us to C, which means “C Major” is the relative major of “A Minor”.
Step 2: Apply the key signature of the relative major scale to the natural minor scale
Remember: natural minor scales use the same key signature as their relative majors.
Because “C Major” has no sharps or flats, we can conclude that “A Natural Minor” doesn’t either. So, our result looks like this:
Here is what the “A Natural Minor” scale looks like written down on the music staff:
Example 2: "D Natural Minor Scale"
1. Using the Formula
D to E gives us a whole step, E to F gives us a half step, F to G is a whole step, G to A is a whole step, A to B♭ is a half step, B♭ to C is a whole step, and C to D is a whole step. Therefore, “D Natural Minor” is made up of D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, and D.
2. Using the Relative Major Scale
Step 1: Find the relative major of "D Minor"
Step 2: Apply the key signature of the relative major scale to the natural minor scale
The relative major of “D Minor” turns out to be “F Major”. “F Major” has one flat in its key signature, which is a B♭. Therefore, “D Natural Minor” will also have a B♭.
Here is what the “D Natural Minor” scale looks like written down on the music staff:
Example 3: "C Sharp Natural Minor Scale"
Let’s end with a more complex example, just for practice.
1. Using the Formula
“C♯ Natural Minor” is made up of C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, and C♯.
2. Using the Relative Major Scale
Step 1: Find the relative major of "C♯ Minor"
Step 2: Apply the key signature of the relative major scale to the natural minor scale
“E Major” has 4 sharps in it’s key signature: F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯. Applying these to the natural minor gives us:
Here is what the “C♯ Natural Minor” scale looks like written down on the music staff:
Conclusion
Hopefully you now have a solid understanding of how to build the Natural Minor Scale. As mentioned earlier, this scale forms the basis for building the harmonic and melodic minor scales, so knowing it well will serve you well in your musical journey. Best of luck!
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