Assoc. Board. Grade 5
Theory
Minor Keys
And
Scales
Preparatory work
Major Key signatures :
GooD
#
AlE
BeeF
b
ORDER of #s and bs :
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
#
b
Minor Key signatures :
Minor keys do not have their own key signatures.
They ‘borrow’ a key signature from the major.
Two rules must apply in all cases.
1. Count up 3 note names.
2. Count up 3 semitones.
Now adjust the top note if you have to.
Remember where the
semitones are:
There are semitones between
E and F, and B and C.
That is, there are no notes
between E and F, and B and C.
Some examples:
What is the key signature for
A minor?
Up 3 note names?
(Count inclusive – A, B, C)
Gives us the letter C
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note C
A minor has the same key signature
then as C major
Which is?
No sharps or flats
What is the key signature for
D minor?
Up 3 note names?
(Count inclusive – D, E, F)
Gives us the letter F
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note F
D minor has the same key signature
then as F major
Which is?
One flat
D minor
One more easy
example
What is the key signature for
E minor?
Up 3 note names?
(Count inclusive – E, F, G)
Gives us the letter G
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note G
E minor has the same key signature
then as G major
Which is?
One sharp
E minor
Now some
more
difficult ones
Remember: BOTH
rules must apply
NO exceptions
What is the key signature for
C minor?
Follow the rules. Up 3 note names? (Count
inclusive – C, D, E)
Gives us the letter E
Up 3 semitones? C to D is 2 semitones.
D to E is 2 semitones – oops! TOO many
We can’t adjust the C, as that is the key we want
How do we lose a semitone?
Remember BOTH rules must apply
Answer - lower the E to Eb.
This gives 3 names and 4 semitones
How do we lose a semitone?
Remember BOTH rules must apply
Answer - lower the E to Eb.
C minor has the same key signature
then as Eb major
Which is?
Three flats
What is the key signature for
F# minor?
Remember: BOTH
rules must apply
NO exceptions
Follow the rules. Up 3 note names? (Count
inclusive – F, G, A)
Gives us the letter A
Up 3 semitones? F# to G is 1 semitone.
G to A is 2 semitones
This gives 3 names and 3 semitones
F# minor has the same key signature
then as A major
Which is?
Three sharps
F#, C# and G# - in the
Correct order.
Now try
some
examples
Write the key
signature for B minor
with the sharps in the
correct order
B minor
Write the key
signature for G minor
G minor
Write the key
signature for Bb
minor
Bb minor
Minor
Scales
Minor Scales :
There are 2 types of minor scale :
Harmonic and Melodic
In each case, ‘borrow’ the key signature from the
major relative. In both cases apply the key signature
then For Harmonic minor, raise note number 7
For Melodic minor, raise notes 6 and7 on the way up,
than cancel them on the way down!