You learn to sing the minor scale much the same way you learned the major scale. You begin first with the melodic tails that help you identify the individual scale degrees.
| The tails are presented below. In the natural minor, the seventh degree of the scale is now a whole step below the tonic instead of just a half step as in the major. Because it can be sung as raised (harmonic minor) or lowered (natural minor), the tails could all have more than one form. However, when you first begin to learn the tails, it is best to always use the raised seventh degree because it helps strengthen the tonic center. |
Minor Tail for Raised 7
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The tails for seven can have two forms, one with the raised seventh and one with the lowered or natural minor seventh. This lower seventh is sometimes referred to as a modal seventh. Notice here that with the raised seventh there is only a minor second between the seventh (leading tone) and the tonic, just like the major.
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The melodic tail for the lowered seventh has a whole step between the seventh and the tonic. Notice that it is less convincing tonally and does not have the same upward tendency as the raised seventh.
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Minor Tail for Lowered 7
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The melodic tail for minor two, when using the raised leading tone, is again exactly the same as it was in the major.
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Minor Tail for 2
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| However, with the lowered seventh, it again takes on the "modal" quality and sounds minor. |
Minor Tail for 2 (Lowered 7)
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From now on, we will use only the raised seventh for the following minor tails. You could practice them with the lowered seventh if you want to expand your skill. The tail for minor three differs from its major scale form with a minor third from the tonic to third scale degree. The third degree is therefore one half step lower than the major form.
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Minor Tail for 3
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The melodic tail for 5 also has the lowered third degree when compared to its major equivalent. Notice how the lowered third degree intensifies the pull downward to the tonic.
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Minor Tail for 5
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The melodic tail for the fourth degree is again like the major tail except that the third degree is one half step lower.
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Minor Tail for 4
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When signing the tail for 4 down below the tonic you will find that it is exactly the same as the major form.
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Minor Tail for 4 Down
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The melodic tail for the sixth degree up now has two minor sounding scale degrees, 6 and 3. Both of these scale tones are now one half step lower than they would be in the major. As a result, you will feel the sixth degree pull strongly down to five much the same way three now pulls down to the second scale degree.
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Minor Tail for 6
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When you sing down to the lowered sixth degree, you will again feel a strong pull down to the fifth scale degree.
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Minor Tail for 6 Down
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If you sing down to the raised sixth degree (as is found in the melodic minor), you will find that this melodic tail is exactly as the one you learned for the major scale.
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Minor Tail for 6 Down (raised)
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Please continue with the next lesson.
