The natural minor scale

Understanding Minor Keys: A Quick Overview

In this lesson, we're going to have a quick look at minor keys.

The Dominant Sevenths and Resolutions

• Dominant sevenths can resolve to either a major chord or a minor chord.
  • Example: V to I can resolve to a minor triad or an A minor seventh chord.
• An example of this is in the tune St. James Infirmary.

Quick Rendition:

• Here is a single-note rendition demonstrating this:

  There's your perfect cadence with an A7 resolving to D minor.

The Role of the F Note

You may ask, "Why have I got an F note over the A7 chord?"

That's actually the sharp 5. It's important to note that:

• We are in the key of D minor.
• F is a really important note in D minor.

In fact, the melody notes come from the relative minor of F major.

Connection Between D Minor and F Major

• D minor and F major are both connected:
  • F is the relative major.
  • Conversely, D minor is the relative minor, a tone and a half down.

Generating the Natural Minor Scale

If we play the scale of F starting on D, that's one way of generating a minor scale known as a natural minor scale.

• It is exactly the same as F major but starts on D.
• You've got the B flat at the top there.

Chords in the Natural Minor Scale

Now, if you look at the chords in that scale on the 2:

• We get the E half diminished chord, which is on the second note of the minor scale.
• This chord is also the seventh note of the major scale.

Key Takeaway:

• Remember that seven chords in major scales are always half diminished chords.

Sequence in D Minor

In a minor key like D minor, the A2, 5, 1 sequence will be:

• E half diminished (ii chord)
• A7 (V chord, dominant)
• D minor or D minor 7 (I chord)

Thus, all three chords come from this natural minor scale.