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What are the three types of minor scales (Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic) ?

Here’s how the three types of minor scales (Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic) are transcribed starting from C (using the C Major scale as a reference).

Since C Major has no sharps or flats, the relative minor is A minor. However, to transcribe the minor scales starting on C, we’ll treat C as the tonic and adjust the intervals accordingly.

1. C Natural Minor (Aeolian Mode)

  • Notes: C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C
  • Interval Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
  • Key Signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭)
  • Notation:
C (W) D (H) E♭ (W) F (W) G (H) A♭ (W) B♭ (W) C

2. C Harmonic Minor

  • Notes: C D E♭ F G A♭ B C
  • Interval Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H
    (The 7th note (B) is raised by a half step compared to C Natural Minor.)
  • Key Signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭), but the B is natural (not flat).
  • Notation:
C (W) D (H) E♭ (W) F (W) G (H) A♭ (W+H) B (H) C

3. C Melodic Minor

Ascending:

  • Notes: C D E♭ F G A B C
  • Interval Pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
    (The 6th (A) and 7th (B) are raised by a half step compared to C Natural Minor.)
  • Notation:
C (W) D (H) E♭ (W) F (W) G (W) A (W) B (H) C

Descending:

  • Notes: C B♭ A♭ G F E♭ D C
  • Interval Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W (same as C Natural Minor).
  • Notation:
C (W) B♭ (H) A♭ (W) G (W) F (H) E♭ (W) D (W) C

 

Summary Table for C Minor Scales

 
C Minor Scales
 
Scale Type Notes (Ascending) Interval Pattern Raised Notes Lowered Notes Key Signature
C Natural Minor C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C W-H-W-W-H-W-W None E♭, A♭, B♭ 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭)
C Harmonic Minor C D E♭ F G A♭ B C W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H B (7th) E♭, A♭ 3 flats + B natural
C Melodic Minor Asc: C D E♭ F G A B C Asc: W-H-W-W-W-W-H A (6th), B (7th) E♭ 3 flats + A and B natural
  Desc: C B♭ A♭ G F E♭ D C Desc: W-H-W-W-H-W-W None B♭, A♭, E♭ 3 flats

Key Takeaways

  1. C Natural Minor is identical to the Aeolian mode of E♭ Major (its relative major).
  2. C Harmonic Minor raises the 7th note (B) to create tension and a stronger pull to the tonic (C).
  3. C Melodic Minor raises the 6th (A) and 7th (B) when ascending for a smoother sound, but reverts to natural minor when descending.

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