The Minor Scale I: The Relative Approach

The minor scale (a/k/a the natural minor scale) is a seven-note scale and the second most important scale in Western music behind the major scale.

There are two approaches to understanding the minor scale:

  • The relative approach.
  • The parallel approach.

This post will use the relative approach to construct a minor scale and provide instruction on how to play one on a guitar in any key.

Minor Scales: The Relative Approach

The minor scale is actually derived from the major scale.

Every major scale has a relative minor scale that starts on its sixth degree (sixth note) and runs to the same note an octave higher.

So if we start any given major scale on its sixth note and play to that same note an octave higher, we are playing a minor scale.

C Major and A Minor Scales

For example, a C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B (fig.1).

Fig.1

The sixth degree of a C major scale is A (fig.1, highlighted in red).

If we start a C major scale on an A and play to the A an octave higher, we are playing an A minor scale (fig.2). 

An A minor scale contains the same notes as a C major scale, but played from A to A. 

The root note is A.

Fig.2

A minor is the relative minor of C major and C major is the relative major of A minor.

The two scales are related in that they share the same notes.

G Major and E Minor Scales

A G major scale contains the notes G, A, B, C, D, E and F# (fig.3).

Fig.3

The sixth degree of a G major scale is E (fig.3, highlighted in red).

If we start a G major scale on an E and play to the E an octave higher, we are playing an E minor scale (fig.4). 

An E minor scale contains the same notes as a G major scale, but played from E to E.

The root note is E.

Fig.4

E minor is the relative minor of G major and G major is the relative major of E minor.

All 12 Minor Scales and Their Relative Major Scales

All 12 major scales (including the F# and Gb major enharmonic equivalent scales) are shown in fig.5, along with their relative minor scales.

The sixth degrees of the major scales and the root notes of the relative minor scales are highlighted in red.

Fig.5

Scale Differences

Although relative major and minor scales share the same notes, it doesn’t mean there is no difference between them.

The primary differences between the two scales are:

  • They start on different notes and, therefore, have different tonal centers.
  • They have different interval structures and, therefore, sound different.

Different Tonal Centers

A song or chord progression in the key of C major (fig.6) is based on a C major scale and is centered on a C (note) and/or a C major chord; its primary tonality is C major.

Fig.6

A song in the key of A minor (fig.7) is based on an A minor scale and is centered on an A (note) and/or an Am chord; its primary tonality is A minor.

Fig.7

Different Scale Structures

Relative major and minor scales also have different interval structures and, therefore, sound different.

A major scale has an interval structure of: whole – whole – half – whole – whole – whole – half (W W H W W W H).

A minor scale has an interval structure of: whole – half – whole – whole – half – whole – whole (W H W W H W W).

Minor Scale Construction

It is easy to see the pattern of whole steps and half steps if you play a minor scale horizontally (on one string) on a guitar.

A Minor Scale

If we start an A minor scale (fig.8) on the open fifth string, you can see that there is:

  • A whole step between A and B.
  • A half step between B and C.
  • A whole step between C and D.
  • A whole step between D and E.
  • A half step between E and F.
  • A whole step between F and G.
  • A whole step between G and A.

Fig.8

E Minor Scale

If we start an E minor Scale (fig.9) on the open sixth string, you can see that there is:

  • A whole step between E and F#.
  • A half step between F# and G.
  • A whole step between G and A.
  • A whole step between A and B.
  • A half step between B and C.
  • A whole step between C and D.
  • A whole step between D and E.

Fig.9

Finding Relative Major and Minor Scales on a Guitar

We can easily determine a major scale’s relative minor scale and vice versa by looking at a guitar.

Finding Relative Minor Scales

The root note of any given minor scale is always a step and a half (three frets) below the root note of its relative major scale. To find the root note of a relative minor scale on a guitar, count down three frets from the root note of its relative major scale.

For example, to find the relative minor of C major:

  1. Locate a C on a guitar (fig.10, highlighted in blue).
  2. Count down three frets to A (fig.10, highlighted in red).

The relative minor of C major is A minor.

Fig.10

To find the relative minor of Bb major:

  1. Locate a Bb on a guitar (fig.11, highlighted in blue).
  2. Count down three frets to G (fig.11, highlighted in red).

The relative minor of Bb major is G minor.

Fig.11

Finding Relative Major Scales

Conversely, the root note of any given major scale is always a step and a half (three frets) above the root note of its relative minor scale. To find the root note of a relative major scale on a guitar, count up three frets from the root note of its relative minor scale.

To find the relative major of E minor:

  1. Locate an E on a guitar (fig.12, highlighted in red).
  2. Count up three frets to G (fig.12, highlighted in blue).

The relative major of E minor is G major.

Fig.12

To find the relative major of B minor:

  1. Locate a B on a guitar (fig.13, highlighted in red).
  2. Count up three frets to D (fig.13, highlighted in blue).

The relative major of B minor is D major.

Fig.13

Minor Scales on a Guitar: The Relative Approach

With the relative approach to scales, each minor scale is related to the major scale from which it is derived (its relative major scale).

Using this approach, you don’t need to learn any new scale fingerings to play a minor scale on a guitar. Just play its relative major scale starting on its sixth note and play to that same note an octave higher.

A Minor Scale

To play an A minor scale on a guitar, play a C major scale (fig.14a) from A to A (fig.14b or fig.14c).  

Fig.14

E Minor Scale

To play an E minor scale on a guitar, play a G major scale (fig.15a) from E to E (fig.15b or fig.15c).  

Relative Minor Scale Starting Note

When using the relative approach to play a minor scale you can start the scale on the sixth note above the root note of its relative major scale or on the note located three frets below the root note of its relative major scale.

Scale Quality and Application

A minor scale sounds dark and heavy. It’s used to solo over minor chords and minor key chord progressions.

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