Level 3 (like Grade 3) · Unit 11 of 24
Minor keys and scales
Every major key has a relative minor that shares its key signature – and minor scales come in three forms.
By the end you will be able to:
- find the relative minor of a major key
- write natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales
- name minor keys from key signatures
Learn
Relative minors
Count three semitones down from a major key note and you reach its relative minor, which uses the same key signature: C major and A minor (no sharps or flats), G major and E minor (one sharp), F major and D minor (one flat).
Three minor scales
- Natural minor: just the notes of the key signature (A B C D E F G A).
- Harmonic minor: raise the 7th note by a semitone (A B C D E F G♯ A). The raised note is written as an accidental – it is never in the key signature.
- Melodic minor: going up, raise the 6th AND 7th notes (A B C D E F♯ G♯ A); coming down, use the natural minor.
Major or minor?
A key signature can mean a major key or its relative minor. Look at the last note (often the key note) and for raised 7ths: G♯ appearing with no sharps in the key signature points to A minor rather than C major.
Your turn
Watch and listen, then practise with new questions every time – reading questions, and writing tasks you answer on the stave. Take the check when you are ready: 80% passes the unit.
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Level 3 is like Grade 3 music theory. These are Classfern’s own levels, not an exam board’s. Questions are made and marked by rules in your browser.