Natural Minor Scales

This article offers an easy-to understand explanation of building and using natural minor scales.

Have you learned the major scales well? If so, then these minor-piano-scales will not be difficult to understand. There are three kinds of minor scales-- NATURAL, HARMONIC, and MELODIC This article is concerned with the natural scale.

NATURAL MINOR SCALES

Remember that each major scale has a specific number of sharps or flats? There is a RELATIVE Minor (having the same number of sharps or flats) for each of those major scales.

The natural minor scale begins on the 6th note of the major scale and has the same sharps or flats as the major scale. For example, if you want the relative minor of the G Major scale, go to the sixth note--"E" and play from E to E with one sharp, "F#". An easy way to find the name of the relative minor is to go down 3 half-steps from the root of the major scale.

EXAMPLE:

To find the relative minor of "D MAJOR", go down 3 frets on your guitar neck and you have "B NATURAL MINOR". The natural minor scale may be used for soloing ONLY in a MAJOR key. In other words, if you want to solo over a chord progression in the KEY OF E MAJOR, then you may use the C# Natural minor scale.

author: Lynne May has been teachng private guitar lessons in Gig Harbor,Washington for 20 years. Visit the May Music Studio Wesite: http://www.may-studio-music-lessons.com

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