Course 1: New Readers
Unit 7: Minor
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Two Minor Scales
This exercise has a 'natural minor' scale and arpeggio (skips on minor tonic - La-Do-Mi), and the second line has a the fun sounding 'harmonic minor' scale. The accidental raises the pitch and Sol becomes Si. Click on the notes and become familiar with the sound, especially between Fa and Si.
Treble Clef,
Amin,
4/4
This exercise has a 'natural minor' scale and arpeggio (skips on minor tonic - La-Do-Mi), and the second line has a the fun sounding 'harmonic minor' scale. The accidental raises the pitch and Sol becomes Si. Click on the notes and become familiar with the sound, especially between Fa and Si.
It's About Direction (Usually)
When harmonic minor is used, regular resolution for Si it upward while So usually moves downward. Spend some slow practice listening to notes on measure 5 until Sol and Si are clear in your mind. Also notice how Si needed to be cancelled out to become Sol in the same measure.
Treble Clef,
Amin,
4/4
When harmonic minor is used, regular resolution for Si it upward while So usually moves downward. Spend some slow practice listening to notes on measure 5 until Sol and Si are clear in your mind. Also notice how Si needed to be cancelled out to become Sol in the same measure.
Our Primary Triads
Primary triads in minor (chords based on scale steps 1, 4 and 5) are all minor. The 'harmonic minor' scale exists to make the dominant (5th step) chord more compelling. Here are their spellings: i chord (la-do-mi), iv chord (re-fa-la) and modified* V chord (mi-si*-ti).
Treble Clef,
Amin,
4/4
Primary triads in minor (chords based on scale steps 1, 4 and 5) are all minor. The 'harmonic minor' scale exists to make the dominant (5th step) chord more compelling. Here are their spellings: i chord (la-do-mi), iv chord (re-fa-la) and modified* V chord (mi-si*-ti).
Melodic Motion
There is one more minor scale variant, the 'melodic minor' scale. Both the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised, but only in melodies that move upward - so pay attention to measure 3 in particular! In melodic minor, Fa becomes Fi and Sol becomes Si. These modifications make that part of the scale sound just like the major scale for that same pitch level.
Treble Clef,
Amin,
4/4
There is one more minor scale variant, the 'melodic minor' scale. Both the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised, but only in melodies that move upward - so pay attention to measure 3 in particular! In melodic minor, Fa becomes Fi and Sol becomes Si. These modifications make that part of the scale sound just like the major scale for that same pitch level.
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