MINOR SCALE Definition & Meaning

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minor scale

noun

Also called harmonic minor scale. a scale having half steps between the second and third, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eighth degrees, with whole steps for the other intervals.
Also called melodic minor scale. a scale having the third degree lowered a half step when ascending, and the seventh, sixth, and third degrees lowered a half step when descending.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of minor scale¹

First recorded in 1885–90

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How does minor scale compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

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But it’s a more difficult song to nail because it’s wordy, Glass said, “and the melody descends in a minor scale which may take some skill.”

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In Western culture, we predominantly use the major and minor scales.

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Most Western tonal music is based on major and minor scales, both of which easily give that strongly tonal feeling.

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"In this exam: She needs to play three pieces by memory, two pieces read music, technique requirements in major, minor scales, ear training, sight-reading, rhythm clap back, listening and playback and etc."

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The teacher tried to explain where middle C was but I could already play all the major and minor scales, as well as tonic and dominant functions, and the circle of fifths.

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