Chords Of The Minor Scale

Understanding the Chords of the Minor Scale: A full breakdown

The minor scale, with its characteristic melancholic and dramatic sound, is a cornerstone of music theory and composition. Worth adding: understanding its chords is crucial for any aspiring musician, whether you're writing songs, improvising solos, or simply analyzing your favorite music. This thorough look will get into the chords of the minor scale, explaining their construction, function, and how they create the unique harmonic landscape of minor key music. We'll explore different types of minor scales and the variations in their chord progressions, equipping you with the knowledge to confidently handle the world of minor key harmony.

Introduction to Minor Scales

Before diving into the chords themselves, let's briefly recap the minor scale. Even so, other variations exist, each with its own unique harmonic implications. Practically speaking, this subtle difference in intervallic construction leads to a significantly different emotional character. The natural minor scale, also known as the aeolian mode, is the simplest form of the minor scale. Unlike the major scale, which is built with a pattern of whole and half steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), the natural minor scale uses a different pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W. We'll cover these variations later.

The key to understanding the chords of any scale lies in recognizing the diatonic chords: chords built exclusively from the notes within the scale itself. These chords are the building blocks of the minor key's harmonic vocabulary.

Building the Diatonic Chords of the Natural Minor Scale

Let's use the A natural minor scale as an example (A-B-C-D-E-F-G). Remember, the diatonic chords are built using every other note of the scale. We use the root, third, and fifth degrees to create a triad.

i (Amin): A-C-E (minor chord) – The tonic chord, providing a sense of home and stability.
ii (Bdim): B-D-F (diminished chord) – A highly unstable chord, often used to create tension and lead towards a resolution.
iii (Cmaj): C-E-G (major chord) – The mediant major chord, adding a bright and contrasting element to the overall minor sound.
iv (Dmin): D-F-A (minor chord) – The subdominant chord, creating a sense of anticipation and preparing for the return to the tonic.
v (Emin): E-G-B (minor chord) – The dominant chord, though minor, still creates a strong pull towards the tonic.
vi (Fmaj): F-A-C (major chord) – The submediant major chord, offering another contrasting major chord within the minor key.
vii° (Gdim): G-B-D (diminished chord) – Another diminished chord, highly unstable and often used as a leading chord to the tonic.

Understanding Chord Qualities and Functions

Notice the presence of both major and minor chords within the natural minor scale. This mix of qualities contributes significantly to the minor key's characteristic emotional range. The diminished chords add an element of instability and often require careful handling in chord progressions.

The function of a chord refers to its role within a musical phrase or progression. The tonic (i) provides stability, the dominant (v) creates tension and a pull towards the tonic, and the subdominant (iv) prepares for the arrival of the tonic or dominant. The other chords—ii, iii, vi, and vii°—provide color, contrast, and contribute to the overall harmonic narrative.

Harmonic Minor Scale and its Chords

The natural minor scale, while versatile, can sometimes lack the strong pull towards the tonic that's characteristic of major keys. Which means this is where the harmonic minor scale comes in. In practice, the harmonic minor scale is created by raising the 7th degree of the natural minor scale by a half-step. This creates a major seventh interval between the 7th and the root, strengthening the dominant chord and creating a more decisive pull toward the tonic.

Let's use A harmonic minor (A-B-C-D-E-F-G#) as an example. The chord changes are primarily in the v and vii chords:

i (Amin): A-C-E (minor chord)
ii (Bdim): B-D-F (diminished chord)
iii (Cmaj): C-E-G# (augmented chord) - Note the augmented chord here.
iv (Dmin): D-F-A (minor chord)
V (E7): E-G#-B-D (dominant 7th chord) - The major 7th strengthens the dominant function significantly.
vi (Fmaj): F-A-C (major chord)
vii° (G#dim): G#-B-D (diminished chord)

Melodic Minor Scale and its Chords

The melodic minor scale addresses another issue with the natural minor scale: its ascending and descending forms are identical. The melodic minor scale raises both the 6th and 7th degrees in the ascending form, creating a smoother melodic contour. The descending form often reverts to the natural minor scale. This creates a unique harmonic situation.

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The ascending melodic minor scale (A-B-C-D-E-F#-G#) creates a different set of chords, particularly in the upper register, but the descending form will use the natural minor scale chords. This makes its chord analysis a bit more complex and context-dependent.

Advanced Harmonic Concepts in Minor Keys

Secondary Dominants: These are dominant chords borrowed from other keys to create strong harmonic movement and add color. To give you an idea, in A minor, a D7 chord (dominant of G major) can be used to lead powerfully to a G major chord (vi chord in A minor).
Modal Interchange: This technique involves borrowing chords from parallel major keys (for example, borrowing chords from A major when working in A minor). This adds harmonic interest and contrast.
Passing Chords: These are chords that briefly appear between more important chords, often to smooth out harmonic transitions or add color.
Neapolitan Sixth: This is a major chord built on the lowered second degree (e.g., a Bbmaj7 in A minor), often used to create a dramatic effect.

Common Minor Key Chord Progressions

Certain chord progressions are frequently used in minor keys, creating recognizable harmonic patterns. Some common examples include:

i - iv - V - i: A simple and effective progression creating a strong sense of resolution.
ii - V - i: A classic progression creating a feeling of tension and release.
vi - ii - V - i: A more sophisticated progression adding harmonic richness.
i - iii - vi - iv: A progression emphasizing the major chords within the minor key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales?

A: The natural minor scale has a characteristic W-H-W-W-H-W-W interval pattern. On top of that, the harmonic minor raises the 7th degree, creating a stronger dominant chord. The melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th degrees in the ascending form, creating a smoother melody, and often returns to the natural minor in the descending form.

Q: How do I choose the right type of minor scale for my composition?

A: The choice depends on the desired emotional effect and harmonic direction. Still, the harmonic minor offers a stronger pull to the tonic. That's why the natural minor is simple and melancholic. The melodic minor creates a more flowing melody. Experiment and see what feels best for your piece.

Q: Can I use major chords in minor key compositions?

A: Absolutely! Now, the major chords within the minor scale (iii and vi) provide contrast and lift the overall mood. Borrowed major chords from parallel keys are also common and effective techniques.

Q: What are diminished chords and how do I use them?

A: Diminished chords (ii and vii° in minor keys) are highly unstable and often used to create tension leading to a resolution. They are typically brief in duration.

Q: Are there any resources to help me practice using minor key chords?

A: Many online resources, including websites, YouTube channels, and software programs, offer lessons, exercises, and backing tracks to help you practice playing and composing with minor key chords.

Conclusion

Understanding the chords of the minor scale opens up a vast world of musical possibilities. The ability to confidently deal with the nuances of natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, along with their associated chord progressions, allows for the creation of rich and expressive music. Also, through experimentation and exploration, you can open up the emotional depth and harmonic versatility inherent in minor key compositions. Also, remember to focus on understanding the function of each chord within the context of the overall harmonic progression. Happy composing!