Scribd
Upload
56 views10 pages

MUSI 491-001 Fretboard Harmony: Instructor: Felipe Vargas Magdaleno E-Mail: Vargaslf@uwec - Edu Phone: 715-836-3633

The document discusses the Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales. The Harmonic Minor scale is derived from raising the 7th degree of the Natural Minor scale by a half step. The Melodic Minor scale raises the 6th degree of the Harmonic Minor scale by a half step. Examples of the C Harmonic Minor and C Melodic Minor scales are provided. Tertian chords that can be formed from stacking thirds in these scales are also shown. The document encourages practicing these scales and their modes to learn them across the fretboard.

Uploaded by

Felipe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views10 pages

MUSI 491-001 Fretboard Harmony: Instructor: Felipe Vargas Magdaleno E-Mail: Vargaslf@uwec - Edu Phone: 715-836-3633

The document discusses the Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales. The Harmonic Minor scale is derived from raising the 7th degree of the Natural Minor scale by a half step. The Melodic Minor scale raises the 6th degree of the Harmonic Minor scale by a half step. Examples of the C Harmonic Minor and C Melodic Minor scales are provided. Tertian chords that can be formed from stacking thirds in these scales are also shown. The document encourages practicing these scales and their modes to learn them across the fretboard.

Uploaded by

Felipe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

MUSI 491-001

FRETBOARD HARMONY
Instructor: Felipe Vargas Magdaleno
E-Mail: vargaslf@uwec.edu
Phone: 715-836-3633
Haas Fine Arts Center 149

Lesson 03 – Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, and Scale Modes


The Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales are originated by alterations in the Natural
Minor scale. These alterations will not only originate new scales, but also new chords and
harmonic possibilities that are often explored in classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
Learning these scales and the chords contained in them will greatly expand your musical
vocabulary.

The Harmonic Minor Scale


The Harmonic Minor scale comes from the alteration of the 7th degree of the Natural Minor
Scale. On the Natural Minor Scale, the 7th degree of the scale is a m7. The Harmonic Minor
scale will raise the 7th degree by a half-step (M7). The intervals for the Harmonic Minor
scale are R, M2, m3, P4, m6, M7, and P8, or 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7, 8.

Figure 1 – C Harmonic Minor

The Melodic Minor Scale


The Melodic Minor scale comes from the alteration of the 7th degree of the Harmonic Minor
Scale. On the Harmonic Minor Scale, the 6th degree of the scale is a m6. The Melodic Minor
scale will raise the 6th degree by a half-step (M6). The intervals for the Harmonic Minor
scale are R, M2, m3, P4, M6, M7, and P8, or 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Figure 2 – C Melodic Minor

Major/Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor Tertian Chords


By stacking thirds in succession, we can form the triad (R-3-5), the seventh, and the chord
extensions (9, 11, 13) of the diatonic scales. By applying this process to each degree of a
given scale you will map all the possible tertian chords of a given scale. It is important to
notice some of these possible chords will not sound good are not used in practical music for
reasons we will discuss later. Here are some examples of possible tertian chords within
these scales:

C Major / A Natural Minor

Figure 3 – C Major / A Minor tertian chords

C Harmonic Minor

Figure 4 – C Harmonic Minor tertian chords


C Melodic Minor

Figure 5 – C Melodic Minor tertian chords

Practicing Scales and Modes


Now that you know how the main diatonic scales are built, practice the major/minor,
harmonic minor, and melodic minor modes. Dividing the diatonic scales in 7 modes with
7 different shapes is a helpful system to memorize these scales across the fretboard and
to them in tonal and modal improvisation.

C Major / A Natural Minor - Notes

C Major / A Natural Minor - Intervals


C Harmonic Minor Scale - Notes

C Harmonic Minor Scale - Intervals

C Melodic Minor - Notes

C Melodic Minor - Intervals

You might also like