Minor scale: natural minor notes, formula and sound
The natural minor scale follows W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Play it in any key, see all 12 minor scales, compare harmonic and melodic minor, and spot the wrong note.
The minor scale (natural minor) is seven notes with the step pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole (W-H-W-W-H-W-W). A minor is A B C D E F G A, all white keys. Compared with major, its 3rd, 6th and 7th notes are a half step lower, which gives its darker sound.
Listen: A minor scale
A B C D E F G A
What is the formula of the minor scale?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-H-W-W-H-W-W |
| Relative major | starts on the 3rd note (C major for A minor) |
What does the minor scale sound like?
Darker, more serious or wistful than major. It is the scale of many folk songs, ballads and film themes.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen to the third note: in minor it is a half step lower than in major (C minor has E flat).
- Natural minor has no leading note: its 7th is a whole step below the tonic, so the ending sounds softer than in major.
- Harmonic minor raises the 7th; melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th going up. Same family, different colours.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a minor scale with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The minor scale in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| A minor | A B C D E F G | |
| E minor | E F♯ G A B C D | |
| B minor | B C♯ D E F♯ G A | |
| F♯ minor | F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E | |
| C♯ minor | C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B | |
| G♯ minor | G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯ | |
| D minor | D E F G A B♭ C | |
| G minor | G A B♭ C D E♭ F | |
| C minor | C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | |
| F minor | F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ | |
| B♭ minor | B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ | |
| E♭ minor | E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the natural minor scale?
Whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. In semitones from the tonic: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12.
What are the three types of minor scale?
Natural minor (A B C D E F G), harmonic minor with a raised 7th (A B C D E F G sharp) and melodic minor with a raised 6th and 7th going up (A B C D E F sharp G sharp).
What are the notes of the E minor scale?
E F sharp G A B C D E. E minor has one sharp, like its relative major, G major.
What is the relative major of a minor scale?
The major scale that starts on its 3rd note and shares all its notes: C major for A minor, G major for E minor, E flat major for C minor.