

It covers major vs minor scale construction (theory), hearing the difference between them (auditory), and the scientific basis for emotional associations of each.The harmonic minor scale is derivative of the minor scale where the seventh scale degree is raised by a half step. While there are many types of scales, in this article describes the differences between major and minor scales. But what makes some songs cheerful, and others tearful? Arguably, the scale a song uses determines the emotional texture more than any other aspect. Descending: when you are playing the scale, the direction from one note to the next determines whether you use the ascending or descending.
So from D to D♯ is a half step. Constructing Major vs Minor Scales (Theory) Major Scale FormulaThis should be review, but a half step is the distance from one key to the very next. Another big difference is that minor scales tend to evoke negative emotions while major scales tend to evoke positive emotions. For a short answer to the question: the difference between major and minor scales is the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes which are often a half step lower in a minor scale compared to a major scale. It usually occurs in the same voice and at the same pitch, but it can be transposed and moved to. A descending melodic minor scale is identical to a natural minor scale.Nov 8, 2020An ostinato is a melodic phrase that's repeated over and over throughout a musical composition.
So the relative minor scale of C Major is A minor and the notes are A B C D E F G A.Now we can make a formula for the minor scale.So now you have the ability to take any starting note and make a major or minor scale. The starting note of a relative minor scale is 3 half steps lower than the major scale. Minor Scale FormulaFor each major scale there is a corresponding minor scale that uses the same notes known as its relative minor scale. It creates the formula for a major scale which is “W W H W W W H”Now you can take any starting note on the piano and construct the corresponding major scale. Consider where the whole steps and half steps land. So from D to E is a whole step because it skips D♯.Now consider a C major scale, which is all the “natural” notes or C D E F G A B C.
Let’s dive into all the minor scale terminology, this includes relative minor, parallel minor, natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor. The formula above just describes a scale known as the natural minor scale. In other words, if you took the final red “W H” of the major scale formula (below) and placed it at the beginning you would have the minor scale formula.But we aren’t yet done describing the difference between the major and minor scales.
Any C minor scale (natural, harmonic, or melodic) is a parallel minor scale of C majorSo far we have only worked with natural minor scales they always follow the “W H W W H W W” formula.There is another way to discover the natural minor scale. Any C minor scale (natural, harmonic, or melodic) is a relative minor scale of E♭ major Terminology can get confusing at this point, so understand that: Natural Minor ScaleThere are three types of minor scales left, the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales. Parallel Minor ScaleThe minor scale that starts on the same note as a major scale is known as its parallel minor scale so the parallel minor scale of C major is C minor. The E♭ major scale includes the notes E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭, so the C minor scale is C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C.
By using a ♭7 that sense of resolution decreases, and with it the music is less grounded to the first scale degree. So when the 7th (B) of a major scale moves to the 1st (C) it creates a strong sense of resolution. Half steps are more tense than whole steps. As expected the result is a scale that follows the W H W W H W W Minor formula that we already learned.While this scale does create a minor, or melancholy and sad tonality, the flattened seventh scale degree causes some issues.In a major scale the 7th scale degree (B) is a half step away from the 1st scale degree (C).
Note that all have a ♭3, the most important note in creating a minor tonality.These comments are based on this Michael News excellent youtube video on minor scales. There is an awkward leap of three half steps between A♭ and B.To combat the second issue, composers sometimes turn the ♭6 back into a natural 6 and we have the melodic minor scale.In the end, these three minor scales are used in minor keyed songs/pieces fluidly depending on the mood the composer is trying to invoke. Some chords available in natural minor are not available in harmonic minor. This is the Harmonic Minor Scale shown below.So why not just use the harmonic minor scale all the time? Several reasons:
However, in one study, they were able to recognize western music as happy, sad, or scarry/fearful. Scientific Basis For Major and MinorSome individuals of the Mafa population of north western Africa are unfamiliar with western music. This one is written in a minor key, but has surprising major chords interspersed throughout which I think adds the excitement and ambiguity.
While songs used at sad events, like funerals are often written in minor keys. Pieces used at celebrations, like the happy birthday song, are written in major keys. So why is major so associated with positive emotions and minor associated with negative emotions.
The notes of a minor chord don’t, but contain similar harmonic ratios. The notes of a major chord all come from within the first and loudest pitches of the harmonic series. These pitches are known as the harmonic series. Every time you play a note on the piano, pitches resonate above it.
Now, you should understand not only the difference between major and minor, but also the different types minor scales, and a scientific basis for the connection between major as happy, and minor as sad.The next step in you musically journey could be: I teach my students the skills they need to play a song of choice, and arrange that song to match their skill level.You can get a sneak peak into the course by downloading this worksheet on the 3 steps to learning your favorite song on the piano! ConclusionUnderstanding the difference between major and minor scales is the first step towards understanding the concepts of major and minor and the role they play in the musical affect of a piece. Put this theory to good use?Do you want to make the most out of these theory concepts? Check out my new course – Favorite Song 101. Not sure if I buy the idea, but here is the full text.Cubism often creates disorienting and distorted images that look “not quite right”.
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