While there is only one major scale, there are 3 kinds of minor
scales. In this lesson we will be looking at all 3 minor scale
variations and examine the pattern for constructing each one.

The three minor scales:

+ Natural minor
+ Harmonic minor
+ Melodic minor


Natural minor scale pattern:

 W — H — W — W — H — W — W

W: whole step
H: half step


So a C Natural Minor scale would be like this.

     C  D  Eb F  G  Ab Bb C
G:—————————————————————3——5———
D:————————————3——5——6—————————
A:———3——5——6——————————————————
E:————————————————————————————

As you can see, it follows the pattern shown above.

 C: root
 D: whole step from C
Eb: half step from D
 F: whole step from Eb
 G: whole step from F
Ab: half step from G
Bb: whole step from Ab
 C: whole step from Bb


Now, to convert a Natural minor scale into a Harmonic scale,
you must raise the seventh note by a half step. So to convert
the C Natural Minor scale, simply change the B flat to a B
natural.


C Harmonic Minor Scale

     C  D  Eb F  G  Ab B  C
G:—————————————————————4——5———
D:————————————3——5——6—————————
A:———3——5——6——————————————————
E:————————————————————————————


To change a Natural minor scale into a Melodic scale you have
to raise both the sixth and seventh notes by a half step. To
convert the C Natural Minor, raise the A flat to an A and the
B flat to a B.


C Melodic Minor Scale

     C  D  Eb F  G  A  B  C
G:——————————————————2——4——5———
D:————————————3——5————————————
A:———3——5——6——————————————————
E:————————————————————————————