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Minor Scales

The First Method: Altering the Major Scale

Also known as Ionian 🡪 Aeolian

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Do you remember the order of the modes?

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

Which three scale degrees did we have to lower to move from Ionian to Aeolian?

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

Which three scale degrees did we have to lower to move from Ionian to Aeolian?

7

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

Which three scale degrees did we have to lower to move from Ionian to Aeolian?

3, 7

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One way to construct our minor scales is to alter certain scale degrees from Major Scales.

This is how we created modes, by altering one scale degree at a time.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

Which three scale degrees did we have to lower to move from Ionian to Aeolian?

3, 6, 7

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Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

Which three scale degrees did we have to lower to move from Ionian to Aeolian?

3, 6, 7

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

E

b

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

E A

b

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

E A B

b

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

b

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

c minor:

C D E F G A B C

b

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

C

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

C F

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

C F G

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

A Major:

A B C D E F G A

#

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To create a minor scale from a Major Scale, lower the third, sixth, and seventh notes by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

a minor:

A B C D E F G A

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Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

a minor:

A B C D E F G A

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Notice how I always use CAPITAL LETTERS for pitches and pitch classes.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

a minor:

A B C D E F G A

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Notice how I always use CAPITAL LETTERS for pitches and pitch classes. For minor scales, I use lower case letters; for Major Scales, I use Capital Letters.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

a minor:

A B C D E F G A

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Notice how I always use CAPITAL LETTERS for pitches and pitch classes. For minor scales, I use lower case letters; for Major Scales, I use Capital Letters.

Lydian

-4 = Ionian (Major)

-7 = Mixolydian

-3 = Dorian

-6 = Aeolian (Minor)

-2 = Phrygian

-5 = Locrian

-1 = Next Lydian

a minor:

a b c d e f g a

a minor:

A B C D E F G A

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

Double-

Flat

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

Double-

Flat Flat

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

Double-

Flat Flat Natural

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

Double-

Flat Flat Natural Sharp

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🡨 Down a half step Up a half step 🡪

Double- Double-

Flat Flat Natural Sharp Sharp

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Directions:

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

This one.

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

This one.

NOT THIS ONE

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

This one.

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Example:

a minor

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees.

Example:

a minor

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees.

Example:

a minor

A B

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees.

Example:

a minor

A B

CAPITAL LETTERS!

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees.

Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Example:

a minor

A B D E A

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Alone or in groups of 2 or 3 people, transform your Major Scales into minor scales.

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees.

Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Example:

a minor

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

A B C D E A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Example:

a minor

A B D E A

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Example:

a minor

A B C D E A

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Example:

a minor

A B C D E F A

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Example:

a minor

A B C D E F G A

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Repeat this process for the other minor scales.

Example:

a minor

A B C D E F G A

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Directions:

Use The Major Scale Cheat Sheet.

Begin by writing the name of the minor scale.

Write down the first two scale degrees. Add scale degrees 4, 5, and 8 – the other unaltered pitches.

Lower the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees by a half step, keeping the same letter.

Repeat this process for the other minor scales.