This lesson assumes that you are already familiar with how to build the natural minor scale.
For a review of the Natural Minor Scale see The Natural Minor Scale.
You will also need to be familiar with scale degree terms.
For a review of the Scale Degree Terms go to Scale Degrees.
The E Natural Minor Scale
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The Harmonic Minor Scale is simply a natural minor scale with a raised 7th scale degree. Notice that the example is using a key signature rather than accidentals. When the minor key signature is used, the only accidental needed will be the raised 7th scale degree
E Harmonic Minor
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The harmonic minor scale is primarily, as the name implies, a harmonic construct. It is rarely used as an actual scale in music, but rather, as the basis for harmonies in minor. It came about because composers wanted to have the strong half-step sound of the leading tone going to the tonic in the Dominant chord (chord built on the dominant) and also the leading-tone chord. This sound is missing in natural minor because the natural minor scale has a whole step between scale degrees 7 and 1.
By raising the seventh scale degree in the natural minor scale a half-step they could now have this stronger half-step pull back to the tonic. This alteration also changed the dominant chord in minor from a minor chord to a major chord. When this alteration is applied to the chord build on the seventh scale degree, it is changed from a major chord to a diminished chord.
Notice the difference in sound between the two examples.
Natural Minor
Harmonic Minor
This alteration to the scale produces an augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th scale degrees. This gives the harmonic minor scale a very unique melodic sound that was normally avoided except when the composer desired a more exotic melodic line.
The Melodic Minor Scale is primarily for melodic purposes: to avoid the augmented 2nd and make for smoother and more natural voice leading. To avoid the awkward sounding augmented 2nd caused by the harmonic minor scale, composers raised the 6th and 7th scale degrees when ascending the scale in a melody, but typically returned back to the natural minor on the way down. Notice that the melodic minor scale ascending is the same as a major scale with a lowered 3rd.
E Melodic Minor
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A barline will cancel out an accidental that is not in the key signature. So keep in mind that the naturals are not necessary in the following example because the barline cancels out the previous sharps. Often composers will include them as a reminder, but they are not required.