2. Minor Scales, Key Signatures and Relative Keys

3. Minor Scales A Minor Scale: Remember: all minor scales follow the same pattern of tones and semi-tones. Pattern: Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone

4. When Writing Minor Scales: There should be 8 notes. The first note and the last note should be the same. Every letter name must appear at least once. Follow the interval pattern T-S-T-T-S-T-T. The notes B/C and E/F are one semi-tone apart. A sharp raises a note by one semi-tone. A flat lowers a note by one semi-tone. REMEMBER:

5. Example Minor Scales F Minor: C# Minor:

6. Order of Sharps FCGDAEB FatherCharlesGoesDownAndEndsBattle

7. Order of Flats BEADGCF BattleEndsAndDownGoesCharlesFather

8. Key Signatures Just like major scale key signatures, the order of sharps and flats can be used to determine minor scale key signatures. Use the order of sharps to determine key signatures containing sharps. Use the order of flats to determine key signatures containing flats.

9. Key Signatures with Sharps: Order of Sharps: F#C#G#D#A#/EB Number of Sharps: 34567/12 Remember: E is the minor scale that has one sharp. Five scales (F/C/G/D/A) have a sharp in their name.

10. Key Signatures with Flats: Order of Flats: BbEbAb/DGCF Number of Flats: 567/1234 Remember: D is the minor scale that has one flat. Three scales (B/E/A) have a flat in their name.

11. Relative Keys When a major scale and a minor scale share the same key signature (the same number of sharps or flats) they are called relative keys. For example: A is the relative minor key of C major. C is the relative major key of A minor.