Glossary
Ascending (Melodic Minor)
The form of the melodic minor scale where both the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised (sharped) from the natural minor.
Example:
When a melody moves upwards in D minor, the ascending melodic minor would use B natural and C sharp.
Augmented 2nd Interval
An interval spanning two scale degrees that is larger than a major second, often found between the 6th and raised 7th degrees in the harmonic minor scale.
Example:
The interval from F to G# in A harmonic minor is an augmented 2nd interval, which can sound exotic or dramatic.
Chords in Minor
Triads built on the scale degrees of a minor key, whose qualities (major, minor, diminished) are influenced by the specific minor scale form used.
Example:
Understanding chords in minor helps explain why a V chord in a minor key is often major.
Descending (Melodic Minor)
The form of the melodic minor scale where the 6th and 7th scale degrees revert to their natural minor form (canceling any sharps).
Example:
As a melody moves downwards in D minor, the descending melodic minor would use B flat and C natural.
Dominant (Scale Degree)
The fifth scale degree, located a perfect fifth above the tonic, creating a strong tension point that often resolves to the tonic.
Example:
In the key of G minor, D is the dominant.
Dominant (V) (Chord)
The major triad built on the fifth scale degree in a minor key, typically using the raised 7th scale degree to create a strong V-i resolution.
Example:
In E minor, the dominant (V) chord is B-D#-F#, a B major triad, due to the raised 7th (D#).
Harmonic Minor Scale
A minor scale derived from the natural minor by raising the 7th scale degree, creating a strong leading tone.
Example:
In A minor, the harmonic minor scale raises the G to G#, creating a strong pull to A.
Le (Solfege)
The solfege syllable for the flattened 6th scale degree in a minor key.
Example:
In C minor, the note A♭ would be sung as Le.
Leading Tone
The 7th scale degree, which is a half-step below the tonic and creates a strong melodic pull towards it.
Example:
In G major, F# is the leading tone, resolving strongly to G.
Me (Solfege)
The solfege syllable for the flattened 3rd scale degree in a minor key.
Example:
In A minor, the note C would be sung as Me.
Mediant (III) (Chord)
The major triad built on the third scale degree in a minor key, often functioning as a point of transition.
Example:
In A minor, the mediant (III) chord is C-E-G, a C major triad.
Mediant (Scale Degree)
The third scale degree, located a minor third above the tonic in a minor key.
Example:
In the key of B minor, D is the mediant.
Melodic Minor Scale
A minor scale that has different ascending and descending forms; it raises the 6th and 7th degrees when ascending and reverts to the natural minor when descending.
Example:
When ascending in C minor, the melodic minor scale uses A natural and B natural, but when descending, it uses A flat and B flat.
Minor Scales
A type of musical scale that typically evokes a 'sad' or 'melancholy' feeling, characterized by a minor third above the tonic.
Example:
The key of C minor often appears in dramatic classical pieces, like Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, which opens in C minor.
Natural Minor Scale
The most basic form of the minor scale, derived by flattening the 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees of its parallel major scale.
Example:
An A natural minor scale consists of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
Parallel Key
A major and minor key that share the same tonic note.
Example:
C Major and C minor are parallel keys, both starting on the note C.
Relative Keys
A major key and a minor key that share the same key signature.
Example:
C Major and A minor are relative keys because they both have no sharps or flats in their key signature.
Relative Minor
A natural minor scale that shares the same key signature and notes as a specific major scale, starting on the 6th degree of that major scale.
Example:
The relative minor of C Major is A minor, as A is the 6th degree of C Major.
Solfege (in minor)
A system of syllables (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti) used for sight-singing and ear training, adapted for minor scales to reflect altered scale degrees.
Example:
When sight-singing in minor, you'd use solfege syllables like 'Me' for the flat 3rd.
Subdominant (Scale Degree)
The fourth scale degree, located a perfect fourth above the tonic.
Example:
In the key of C minor, F is the subdominant.
Submediant (Scale Degree)
The sixth scale degree, located a minor sixth above the tonic in a minor key.
Example:
In the key of A minor, F is the submediant.
Supertonic (Scale Degree)
The second scale degree, located a major second above the tonic.
Example:
In the key of F minor, G is the supertonic.
Supertonic (ii) (Chord)
The chord built on the second scale degree in a minor key, typically a diminished triad (ii°) or sometimes a half-diminished seventh chord (iiø).
Example:
In C minor, the supertonic (ii) chord is D-F-A♭, which is a diminished triad.
Ti (Solfege)
The solfege syllable for the raised 7th scale degree (leading tone) in a minor key, creating a strong pull to the tonic.
Example:
In G minor, the note F# would be sung as Ti.
Tonic (Scale Degree)
The first scale degree and the central pitch of a key, serving as the point of resolution and stability.
Example:
In the key of E minor, E is the tonic.
Tonic (i) (Chord)
The minor triad built on the first scale degree of a minor key, serving as the primary chord of resolution.
Example:
In D minor, the tonic (i) chord is D-F-A.