Natural minor and the relative minor
Concept
The natural minor scale uses W-H-W-W-H-W-W — major with a flat 3, 6, and 7. Every major scale shares its 7 notes with a minor scale starting on the 6th degree.
Two ways to define minor
1. As its own formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Starting on A: A B C D E F G A. 2. As a major scale with flat 3, 6, and 7. Start with A major (A B C# D E F# G#), flatten the 3, 6, 7 → A B C D E F G. Same result.
Both views are useful. The formula approach helps you build the scale anywhere. The 'flat 3-6-7' view helps you see how minor relates to major.
Relative major and minor share notes
C major and A minor use the SAME 7 notes (C D E F G A B). The difference is where 'home' is. - A C-major song treats C as home; the melody resolves to C. - An A-minor song treats A as home; the melody resolves to A.
A = C's 6th degree. So the 'relative minor' of any major key starts on its 6th note. The relative major of any minor starts on its 3rd.
Why this matters for soloing
If a song is in A minor, you can play notes from C major and they'll all be 'in key.' Same fingerings work; you just have a different sense of home base. This is why many guitarists who know the C major scale can already solo over A minor jams without knowing it.
Key takeaways
- •Natural minor = major with b3, b6, b7.
- •Relative minor = major's 6th degree. Same notes, different home.
- •Knowing major scales doubles as knowing minor scales.
Glossary
- Relative minor
- The minor scale that shares all notes with a given major scale (starts on degree 6).
- Parallel minor
- The minor scale with the same root as a given major scale (different notes).
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