{"id":1707,"date":"2020-08-11T06:35:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-11T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=1707"},"modified":"2023-01-16T12:21:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T20:21:51","slug":"how-to-play-minor-scales-on-the-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-minor-scales-on-the-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Play Minor Scales on the Piano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scales give us the tools we need to create beautiful sounds on the piano. But it can be hard to know HOW to play minor scales and make them sound good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This lesson was requested by one of our very own Pianote members! Thank you, Archita, for getting us excited about playing these beautiful, hypnotic sounds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we\u2019ll learn how to build a dreamy piece using harmonic and melodic minor scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This lesson will familiarize you with how to play minor scales and get you creating some truly beautiful sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To keep things simple, we\u2019ll stick to the key of A minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the relative minor of C major, which means its natural scale doesn\u2019t have any sharps or flats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as you\u2019ll see, we\u2019re going to look beyond the natural scale today to explore the harmonic and melodic minor scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Left Hand Motif<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s establish some rhythm by playing a repeating left-hand motif. We\u2019ll steadily rock between A<\/b> and E-A<\/b>. This pattern is based on the A minor root chord (A-C-E).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your hands are small, don\u2019t worry! Here\u2019s a secret: Press down the sustain pedal<\/a> and gently float between the keys. You can then let go of the lowest A when you play the E-A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Right Hand Harmonic Minor Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re comfortable playing the left hand motif, play the A minor harmonic scale<\/b> over it. The order of the notes doesn\u2019t matter. Play around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a refresher, these are the notes of the default A minor natural scale<\/b>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A<\/b><\/center>\n\n\n\n

In the A minor harmonic scale<\/b>, we raise the 7th note, turning G into G#:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-B-C-D-E-F-G#-A<\/b><\/center>\n\n\n\n

(Want to know why there are different types of minor scales? Check out this lesson<\/a> for details!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the top end of the scale (like E-G#-A<\/b>), especially the G#.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The G# is what makes the A minor harmonic scale so special. It really adds tension to the scale, and sounds beautiful when you resolve the G# back to A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Right Hand Melodic Minor Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next, let\u2019s try doing the same thing with the A minor melodic scale<\/b>. In this scale, we raise the 6th and 7th notes going up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-B-C-D-E-F#-G#-A<\/b><\/center>\n\n\n\n

…And lower (un-sharp) the 6th and 7th notes coming back down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-G-F-E-D-C-B-A<\/b><\/center>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the melodic minor scale goes back to being a natural scale on the way down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play the A minor melodic scale over your left hand. Try varying your rhythm and the order of the notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no right or wrong way to experiment and explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add a Second Left Hand Motif<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s make things a little more interesting by adding a second motif in our left hand: F<\/b> and C-F<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pattern contrasts nicely with our A and C-E motif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, continue playing harmonic minor notes and melodic minor notes with your right hand. Once again, have fun and experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re comfortable with A minor, you can try this exercise in other minor keys too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope this little exercise in hypnotic minor keys is both fun and educational! Thanks again to Archita for requesting this topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n