Every major scale has a relative minor scale that shares the same key signature. In order to determine the relative minor, go to the 6th scale degree of the major scale. The sixth note in the major key will be the tonic note (scale degree 1), of the relative minor key. Take a few minutes to find the relative minor keys by finding scale degree 6 in each major key.
Forms of the minor scale
There are three forms of the minor scale. The first one to learn is the natural minor, which has the same notes as the major scale to which it is relative. You can play the natural minor scale simply by playing the major scale, but instead of starting and stopping on what you normally think of as the first scale degree (scale degree “1”, or tonic), start and stop on the new tonic, which is scale degree 6 of the major. (The example below shows the relative minor and its forms.) Practice playing the natural minor scale and listening to the sound.
The next form of the minor scale is the harmonic minor, which can be constructed by raising the 7th scale degree of the natural minor scale. Because this alteration results in harmonies (chords) that pull your ear toward tonic, the scale sounds and feel stronger than the natural minor and has a distinctively minor flavor.
You will probably use the harmonic minor more often than the other forms of the minor in your playing, so it’s important to learn to alter the major scale patterns appropriately. To do so, determine which note in the pattern is scale degree 7 and replace that note with the note that is a fret higher. Use the following fingering to achieve a natural minor in scale pattern #1:
1 2 4 (sixth string)
1 2 4 (fifth string) (stretch your 4th finger up one fret higher than usual)
1 3 4 (fourth string)
1 3 4 (third string)
3 4 (second string) (the first note you play on this string will be one fret higher than usual)
1 2 4 (first string)
Raising both the 6th and 7th scale degrees of the natural minor will result in a melodic minor scale. Practice this scale in the same way that you did the harmonic minor. As you listen, you may begin to understand why the scale is named “melodic.” It relates closely to the major scale by the same name and is easy to sing!
Major C D E F G A B C
Natural Minor A B C D E F G A
Harmonic Minor A B C D E F G♯ A
Melodic Minor A B C D E F♯ G♯ A