Minor

Definition

In music, 'minor' refers to a scale or chord that has a darker, sadder sound compared to its major counterpart. The minor scale is characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half steps that creates its unique tonal quality, which plays a crucial role in establishing emotional moods within music. Understanding how minor keys function, how they relate to common chord progressions, and how intervals are constructed can deepen one’s appreciation of harmony and composition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A natural minor scale consists of the notes: whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step.
2. The most common chord progressions in minor keys often include the i-IV-V or i-vi-iv-V sequences, which create emotional depth.
3. Minor chords consist of a root note, a flattened third, and a perfect fifth, providing a distinct sound compared to major chords.
4. The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree of the natural minor scale, allowing for leading tones that enhance resolution to the tonic.
5. Minor keys can evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy, often used in film scores and compositions to convey emotional narratives.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a minor scale influence the type of chord progressions commonly used within it?
  • The structure of a minor scale, characterized by specific intervals of whole and half steps, influences chord progressions by creating a unique tonal environment. Common progressions like i-IV-V or i-vi-iv-V leverage the darker tonal quality of minor scales. The diminished chords that arise from the seventh degree of the scale also add tension and complexity to these progressions, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the music.
• Discuss the differences between natural minor and harmonic minor scales in terms of their application in chord construction.
  • Natural minor scales follow a specific pattern of whole and half steps that results in a flat seventh degree. In contrast, harmonic minor scales raise this seventh degree, which creates a leading tone that strongly resolves to the tonic. This alteration not only affects melodic lines but also impacts chord construction by allowing for dominant chords that are more effective in resolving to the tonic. As such, harmonic minor is often preferred in classical music for its stronger sense of resolution.
• Evaluate how understanding minor keys can enhance one's ability to compose music across various genres.
  • Understanding minor keys provides composers with essential tools for evoking emotion through music. By mastering the unique characteristics of minor scales and their related chords, composers can create pieces that explore a range of feelings from sadness to tension. This knowledge allows for effective use of common progressions and alterations like the harmonic minor's leading tone. Additionally, incorporating diverse scales such as melodic minors into compositions can lead to richer harmonic textures and more engaging musical narratives.

Related terms

Diminished: A diminished chord is formed by lowering the third and the fifth of a major chord, creating a tense and unstable sound commonly found in minor key contexts.

Relative Major: The relative major is the major key that shares the same key signature as a given minor key, providing a contrast in mood while maintaining the same tonal foundation.

Melodic Minor: The melodic minor scale raises the sixth and seventh degrees when ascending and reverts to the natural minor form when descending, adding versatility in melodic construction.