The minor scale is fundamentally important when it comes to playing lead guitar and understanding music theory. Just like the major scale, it is constructed of seven notes and forms the basis for countless melodies and solos across various genres.
Before diving into the intricacies of the minor scale, it’s highly recommended that you have a solid grasp of the major scale. If you haven’t yet, take some time to review and understand The Major Scale as it serves as a crucial foundation for understanding minor scales.
Decoding the Minor Scale Formula
Like its major counterpart, the minor scale is defined by a specific sequence of whole steps (W) and half steps (H). This formula dictates the intervals between each note, creating the characteristic sound of the minor scale. The formula for a minor scale is:
W – H – W – W – H – W – W
This sequence of whole and half steps is the key to building any minor scale, regardless of the root note.
Unlocking the Notes of the A Minor Scale
To practically apply the minor scale formula, let’s construct an A minor scale. We begin with our root note, which in this case is A. Then, we apply the W-H-W-W-H-W-W formula step-by-step using the musical alphabet.
Following the formula from A:
- W (Whole step) from A is B
- H (Half step) from B is C
- W (Whole step) from C is D
- W (Whole step) from D is E
- H (Half step) from E is F
- W (Whole step) from F is G
- W (Whole step) from G is A (octave)
Therefore, the notes of the A minor scale are A – B – C – D – E – F – G.
The Notes Of The A Minor Scale
Alt text: Diagram illustrating the A minor scale formula with whole and half steps, showing the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G on a musical staff.
Understanding the Degrees of the A Minor Scale
Numbering the notes within a scale, known as degrees, is crucial for understanding its structure and relationship to other scales and musical concepts. The degrees of the A minor scale are as follows:
1st – A (Root)
2nd – B
3rd – C
4th – D
5th – E
6th – F
7th – G
Knowing these degrees allows you to understand intervals within the scale and how minor scales function in harmony and melody.
Relative Major & Minor Scales: A Powerful Connection
A fascinating aspect of minor scales is their relationship to major scales. Every minor scale has a relative major scale, and vice versa. The relative major scale shares the exact same notes as its relative minor scale, just starting on a different root note.
To find the relative major scale of a minor scale, you can go up three frets or three semitones from the root note of the minor scale. Alternatively, you can locate the 3rd degree of the minor scale; this note will be the root of the relative major scale.
In our example of A minor, the 3rd degree is C. Therefore, the relative major scale of A minor is C major. This means that the A minor scale and the C major scale contain the same notes.
C Major & A Minor Scale Shapes on the Guitar
Here are common and practical shapes for playing both the C major scale and the A minor scale on the guitar. The black dots clearly indicate the root notes for each scale (C notes for C major and A notes for A minor).
C Major & A Minor Scales
Alt text: Guitar fretboard diagrams showing common shapes for C major and A minor scales, with black dots marking the root notes on each diagram.
Expanding Your Reach: The Extended A Minor Scale
As we’ve established, the A minor and C major scales are composed of the same notes. The A minor scale notes are: 1A 2B 3C 4D 5E 6F 7G, while the C major scale notes are: 1C 2D 3E 4F 5G 6A 7B.
Because of this shared note pool, we can combine the typical major scale shape and the standard minor scale shape to create a larger, more comprehensive “extended” scale shape. This extended shape provides more melodic possibilities and allows for greater freedom on the fretboard.
C Major & A Minor Extended Scale Patterns
The only distinction between the extended C major and A minor scale shapes lies in the location of the root notes. In the C major extended shape, the C notes are the root notes. Conversely, in the A minor extended shape, the A notes are the root notes.
C Major & A Minor Extended Scales
Alt text: Extended guitar scale diagrams for C major and A minor, highlighting root notes in each shape without color coding for note types.
Visualizing the Extended Scale Horizontally
Here’s another perspective on the extended A minor scale shape, presented in a horizontal view across the guitar fretboard. This view can sometimes be helpful for visualizing the scale’s layout and planning your lead guitar phrases.
Transposing the Extended Minor Scale Shape to Other Keys
One of the most valuable aspects of learning scale shapes is their portability. To use this extended minor scale shape in different minor keys, simply shift the entire shape along the fretboard so that the root note locations align with the root note of your desired minor key.
For instance, if you want to play this minor scale shape in B minor, you would move the entire shape up two frets. This will shift your A root notes to B root notes, allowing you to play the B minor scale using the same shape.
Minor scales are essential building blocks for any guitarist looking to explore lead playing and improvisation. Mastering these scales and their shapes will unlock a world of musical possibilities.
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