Minor Scales

[flutegirl49]

Are there any websites that show or explain how to memorize/learn these?

[boglarka]

I haven't looked, but I'm sure there are websites that explain how minor scales are built. (There are 3 for each tonic: natural, harmonic and melodic--you should know all of them).

As far as memorizing goes, you have to understand the theory behind them and then practice them like you would major scales.

[Phineas]

When you play a major scale, you already know 4 of them. When you playoff different degrees of a major scale, and play up, you will be playing a different scale. For example if you play a D scale in the key of C, you are playing a Dorian minor scale. I will demonstrate this in the key of C.

C Ionion (Major)
D Dorian(Minor)
E Phrygian(Minor)
F Lydian (Major with +4(Raised Forth))
G MixoLydian (Major with -7(Flated 7th))
A Aolean(Relative or Natural minor scale)
B Locrian(Half Dininshed Minor scale)

This is not the end all to minor scale theory, but this is a good start. Especially look at the "F" scale in the key of C

Regular F scale.... F G A Bb C D E F
Lydian F Scale......F G A B C D E F

Notice that the "B" is natural. This really give the F scale a differnt sound.

Once you learn these basic ones, the other ones will be easier to identify and understand. For example a Harmonic minor is nothing more than an Aolean Minor scale with a raised 7th

Example
A aolean .....A B C D E F G A
A Harmonic..A B C D E F G# A

A Melodic, you raise the 6th and the 7th note
A aolean .....A B C D E F G A
A Melodic ....A B C D E F# G# A

Hope fully this will be a start for you. Once you get these scales and modes in your head in one key, you will easily be able to identify, and play them in any key.

There are many other scales an modes I could go into, but I dont know what kind of music you play. If you are looking for more, let me know. The reason I am not refering you to a book is "books" just give you patterns to play. There are very few books that really help you to understand , and simplify things. It is one thing to sight read, and another to know what you are playing.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Phineas

[Collin]

For me, the easiest way to find the relative (natural) minor scale is like this. Take your major scale, follow the key signature, and go down 2 note. For example, if the scale was CDEFGABC, go down 2 notes for ABCDEFGA. It might sound confusing, but it is really not.

I hope that was some help to you!

Collin