Scales
A Scale is just some subset of the 12 notes in an octave. A Diatonic Scale is one particular scale which has a subset of 7 of the 12 notes, with the result being the Major Scale.
Minor Scales
A minor scale is any scale derived from the Major scale but with a♭3.
So there are 7 scale degrees you can potentially modify – these are each listed below:
- Root – The root establishes the tonality of the scale (C minor vs D minor), therefore you cannot change it.
- 2nd – You can only flatten the 2nd, because a #2 = ♭3 (which is already in the scale).
- ♭3rd – The ♭3 establishes the quality of the scale (minor vs Major), therefore you cannot change it.
- 4th – You can only sharpen the 4th, because a ♭4 = Maj3 (which we want to avoid because this is a minor scale).
- 5th – Can be flattened or sharpened.
- 6th – Can be flattened or sharpened.
- 7th – You can only flatten the 7th, because a #7 = Root
Using the above rules, we can create a number of different minor scales. Some of the most common ones are listed below:
| Scale Name | Derived From | Scale Degrees | From C | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Melodic Minor | I Melodic Minor | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 | C D E♭ F G A B | CmMaj7 |
| C Dorian | II Major | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F G A B♭ | Cm7 |
| C Harmonic Minor | I Harmonic Minor | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 | C D E♭ F G A♭ B | CmMaj7 |
| C Aeolian | VI Major | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 b6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | Cm7 |
| C Dorian ♭2 | II Melodic Minor | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G A B♭ | Cm7 |
| Dorian #4 | IV Harmonic Minor | 1 2 ♭3 #4 5 6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F# G A B♭ | Cm7 |
| C Phrygian | III Major | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | Cm7 |
| C Half-diminished | VI Melodic Minor | 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ | Cø7 |
| Locrian #6 | II Harmonic Minor | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A B♭ | Cø7 |
| C Locrian | VII Major | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ | Cø7 |
| ??? | ??? | 1 ♭2 ♭3 #4 #5 #6 7 | C D E♭ F# G# A# B | CmMaj7#5 |