More scales · level L100

Spell the minor scales

Harmonic and melodic minor are natural minor with one or two notes raised — and raising a note NEVER changes its letter.

A natural minor is A B C D E F G. Harmonic minor raises the 7th, so the G becomes G♯. Still a G. The other six names do not move at all.

Melodic minor raises the 6th as well: A B C D E F♯ G♯. Same seven letters, each still used exactly once — the rule from the major and natural minor scales holds here too.

Same seven letters — raise the 7th (and the 6th)

A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯
G♯7
A1
B2
C♭3
D4
E5
F♭6
G
A♭
B♭
C♭
D♭
E♭
F♭
G♭

A harmonic minor: only the G moves, to G♯. Every letter still once.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.