Minor Keys
Minor keys are paired with major keys that have the same key signature. They share the same pitches however they are ordered differently and begin on different notes. These major and minor keys are considered relative keys.
Here is a list of the relative keys.
Natural Minor
The relative minor scale begins on the sixth scale degree of the major scale.
A method that works well for singing minor scales is to begin singing the scale on the solfege word "La", the sixth scale degree.
The following scales are examples of natural minor scales.
Harmonic Minor Scale
The harmonic minor scale is the same as the natural minor scale except that it has a raised 7th scale degree. The second last note is a semitone, it functions as a leading tone to the tonic.
Melodic Minor
The melodic minor scale differs from the natural minor in that it has raised 6th and 7th scale degrees on the ascending half of the scale. The descending half of the scale returns to the natural minor by lowering the 6th and 7th scale degrees as in the following scales.
