Confession #27 - Learn the Minor Scale!

In Confession #8 - Learn the Major Scale! we learned the major scale, how it consists of a sequence of whole steps and half steps, and how it is the sound of do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do.  In this confession, we'll learn the minor scale.

The Minor Scale

Like the major scale, the minor scale consists of a pattern of whole steps and half steps.  However, it uses a different pattern.  The minor scale pattern goes like this:

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

...where W means a whole step and H means a half-step.  

Let's build a minor scale in the key of C.  Starting on C and applying the minor scale pattern gives us the following notes:

C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

If you jump ahead to the section below called On the Fretboard, there are two movable minor scale patterns you can practice, but I'm hoping you'll stick around for the rather lengthy music theory discussion that comes next.

Scale Formulas

In a minute we'll compare the major scale and the minor scale, but first let's learn about scale formulas. A scale formula is simply a series of numbers used to describe a scale.  The most basic scale formula is the major scale formula, which is written as follows:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

The number 1 signifies the root note of the scale.

This formula implicitly means the pattern of whole steps and half steps that make up the major scale, like this:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

W   W   H   W   W   W   H

If we are using any scale other than the major scale, we need to change this scale formula to describe the new scale by adding sharps (i.e. #) or flats (i.e. b) to the numbers in the scale formula.

This point is very important to understand, so its worth repeating:

The scale formula 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 refers only to the major scale!

Comparing the Major and Minor Scale 

To illustrate the previous point, let's compare the C major scale to the C minor scale.  

C Major

Here is the C major scale with the scale formula written below the notes of the scale:

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

W   W   H   W   W   W   H

C Minor

Here is the C minor scale with the scale formula written below the notes of the scale:

C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C

1   2   3b   4   5   6b   7b   8

W   H    W   W   H    W    W

The C minor scale contains many of the same notes as the C major scale, however 3 of the notes are different.  The notes E, A and B in the major scale all have to be lowered a half step, and thus become Eb, Ab and Bb.

Thus when writing out the scale formula for the minor scale, we have to add a flat symbol to the 3rd, 6th and 7th scale degrees.


Understanding Scale Formulas

To understand scale formulas, it is critical to understand that they are all defined with reference to the major scale formula.

Let's look at the minor scale formula in isolation.  It is:

1 - 2 - 3b - 4 - 5 - 6b - 7b - 8

Okay, so I am supposed to play a flat 3rd, 6th and 7th, which I do by lowering each of the 3rd, 6th and 7th one half step (one fret on the guitar).  But to do this, first I have to know what the 3rd, 6th and 7th are!!!

To find them, you have to refer to the major scale of whatever key you happen to be playing in.  As shown above, in the key of C the 3rd, 6th and 7th are the notes E, A and B.  Therefore the flat 3rd, 6th and 7th are Eb, Ab and Bb.

To further illustrate this point, let's build a minor scale in the key of G.

First, we need to know what the G major scale is.

G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

1   2   3   4   5   6   7    8

W   W   H   W   W   W    H

Now take the minor scale formula and adjust the notes in the G major scale to get the G minor scale:

1 - 2 - 3b - 4 - 5 - 6b - 7b - 8

G   A   Bb   C   D   Eb   F    G

W   H    W   W   H    W    W

On the Fretboard

Here are two movable minor scale patterns, one starting on the 4th string and the other starting on the 6th string.  Both are shown in the key of C minor,  but you can change the key by moving the patterns up and down the fretboard.

Starting on the 4th String

Minor Scale Pattern
Root on 4th String

Fingering for this pattern is 1-3-4, 1-3-4, 2-4 where finger 1 is your index finger and finger 4 is your pinky.

Starting on the 6th String

Minor Scale Pattern
Root on 6th String

Fingering for this pattern is 1-3-4, 1-3-4, 1-3 where finger 1 is your index finger and finger 4 is your pinky.

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Next Week's Confession - Palm Muting! (Part 2)