Bass Lessons - Minor Scale Lesson bass tab

While there is only one major scale, there are 3 kinds of minor

scales. In this lesson we will be looking at all 3 minor scale

variations and examine the pattern for constructing each one.

The three minor scales:

+ Natural minor

+ Harmonic minor

+ Melodic minor

Natural minor scale pattern:

W - H - W - W - H - W - W

W: whole step

H: half step

So a C Natural Minor scale would be like this.

C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

G:---------------------3--5---

D:------------3--5--6---------

A:---3--5--6------------------

E:----------------------------

As you can see, it follows the pattern shown above.

C: root

D: whole step from C

Eb: half step from D

F: whole step from Eb

G: whole step from F

Ab: half step from G

Bb: whole step from Ab

C: whole step from Bb

Now, to convert a Natural minor scale into a Harmonic scale,

you must raise the seventh note by a half step. So to convert

the C Natural Minor scale, simply change the B flat to a B

natural.

C Harmonic Minor Scale

C D Eb F G Ab B C

G:---------------------4--5---

D:------------3--5--6---------

A:---3--5--6------------------

E:----------------------------

To change a Natural minor scale into a Melodic scale you have

to raise both the sixth and seventh notes by a half step. To

convert the C Natural Minor, raise the A flat to an A and the

B flat to a B.

C Melodic Minor Scale

C D Eb F G A B C

G:------------------2--4--5---

D:------------3--5------------

A:---3--5--6------------------

E:----------------------------