Major Versus Minor

This lesson assumes you have already completed the lessons on how to distinguish between major and natural minor scales and types of minor scales.

To review hearing major and natural minor scales go to How to Hear Major and Minor Scales.

To review the types of minor scales go to Minor Scales.

The Natural Minor Scale

The natural minor scale will have half steps between the 2nd (re) and 3rd (me) scale degrees and the 5th (so) and 6th (le) scale degrees. Click the diagram below to hear a C natural minor scale.

play_circle	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
	W	H	W	W	H	W	W	W	W	H	W	W	H	W

The Harmonic Minor Scale

The harmonic minor scale will also have half steps between the 2nd (re) and 3rd (me) scale degrees and the 5th (so) and 6th (le) scale degrees. What makes this scale unique is the augmented 2nd between the 6th (le) and 7th (ti) scale degrees. An augmented 2nd sounds identical to a minor 3rd. Click the diagram below to hear a C harmonic minor scale.

play_circle	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
	W	H	W	W	H	A2	H	H	A2	H	W	W	H	W

The Melodic Minor Scale

The melodic minor scale will have half steps between the 2nd (re) and 3rd (me) scale degrees and the 7th (la) and 8th (do) scale degrees when ascending, but will return to natural minor when descending. Click the diagram below to hear a C natural minor scale.

play_circle	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
	W	H	W	W	W	W	H	W	W	H	W	W	H	W

Distinguishing Between the Scales

The key to distinguishing between the major scale and the minor scales is listening to whether there is a half step between the 2nd and 3rd scale degrees. If there is, then it is a type of minor scale.

The key to distinguishing between the three minor scales is listening to the top of the scale: scale degrees 5-7.

Natural Minor: the natural minor scale has a whole-step between scale degrees 7 and 8.
Harmonic Minor: the harmonic minor scale has an Augmented 2nd between scale degrees 6 and 7 and a half-step between 7 and 8. Most people find the augmented 2nd to be very distinctive.
Melodic Minor: the melodic minor has a half-step between scale degrees 7 and 8 going upwards but a whole-step going downward. This is the only minor scale that has a different sound ascending versus descending.

The Next Exercise

The next exercise will allow you to practice distinguishing between the three minor scales and the major scale. Listen carefully to the examples above until you feel you are ready to proceed to the next exercise.