Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify the pattern of whole and half steps in a natural and melodic minor scale.
Describe the difference between parallel and relative major and minor scales.
Write and sing a natural and melodic minor scale beginning on any given note.
Write and ID the key signature for any given minor key.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
Building Minor Scales (MT.net)
"Key Signatures, Circle of Fifths, & Minor Scales" (Kaitlin Bove)
Explore: Check out the interactive Key Tool on LightNote.
Watch
Watch
Minor Scales (Brad Harrison, 7 mins)
Minor Scales (Brad Harrison, 7 mins)
Minor Keys (Sean Atkinson, 23 mins)
Minor Keys (Sean Atkinson, 23 mins)
Practice
Practice
Musition: Scales (Lvl 3a-c)
Musition: Key Signatures (Lvl 5–9)
Auralia: Scale Singing (Lvl 2–4)
Auralia: Scales (Lvl 1–4)
Quizlet Flashcards: Minor Key ID, Minor Key Construction, Major & Minor Construction
MusicTheory.net: Scale Construction, Key Signature ID, Construction
Study Aids
Study Aids
Key Signatures for all Major and Minor Keys
Key Signatures for all Major and Minor Keys
Order of Accidentals:
Order of Accidentals:
Order of sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B (Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle)
Order of flats: B, E, A, D, G, C, F (Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charle's Father) (Or, the first 4 flats spell "bead")
3 Different Methods for Memorizing your Minor Key Signatures:
3 Different Methods for Memorizing your Minor Key Signatures:
Method 2: Memorize Half of the Keys. The accidentals in both the major and minor keys all sum to 7 if the key starts with the same letter.
Method 3: Look at the last accidental in the key signature.
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
Melodic, Natural, and Harmonic Minor: Define the difference between each of these scales?
Parallel & Relative Keys: What is the difference between the parallel and relative major and minor scales?
Memorizing Keys: Share some of your favorite tricks for remembering minor key signatures. Three methods are provided as examples in the study aids above.
Major vs. Minor: Listen to examples played by your instructor in both major and minor modes. How does the minor mode compare to the major? Why might a composer chose to write in one mode over the other?
A lot of songs in popular music start in one mode, then shift into another (e.g. the verse may be in major, while the chorus is in minor). Check out the mode page in your anthology for a list of songs that use both modes. Try to identify which mode you're hearing at each indicated section, then discuss why you think the artist chose to change the mode where they did and what the effect is.
Activities
Activities
Write Minor Scales: Practice writing major scales beginning on different starting notes using the major scale pattern of whole and half steps.
Worksheet 1 (natural), Worksheet 2 (melodic), Worksheet 3, Worksheet 4 (top), Worksheet 5
Write or ID Key Signatures: Practice identifying and writing key signatures in different clefs.
Key Signature Speed Challenge: Race against your classmates to see who can get the highest score in each level before the timer runs up. Record the highest running scores on the board. Scores only count if you have 100% correct, so accuracy matters. If you miss a key, restart from the top! Work until your instructor yells stop.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Major and minor are just two types of pitch collections. Many others exist. Check out some of these other collections:
"Modes and Scales" (Popgrammar) - Read the first section on modes and listen to the examples.
"The Notes" from North Indian Classical Raag (from Sādhana, Demystifying Indian Classical Music)
"The Jins" from The Arabic Maqam System (from Sami Abu Shumays, Maqam World)
"The Whole Tone Scale" and "The Diminished Scale" (Ethan Hein)
Page updated
Report abuse