Minor Scale Chords

[T-Block]

Minor Scale Chords

Just like we built chords off the scale degrees using the major scale, we do the same thing with the minor scales.  Here they are:


Natural Minor

C minor scale =  C  D  Eb  F  G  Ab  Bb  C

1 = minor (C-Eb-G)
2 = diminished (D-F-Ab)
3 = major (Eb-G-Bb)
4 = minor (F-Ab-C)
5 = minor (G-Bb-D)
6 = major (Ab-C-Eb)
7 = major (Bb-D-F)

[T-Block]

Harmonic Minor

C harmonic scale =  C  D  Eb  F  G  Ab  B  C

1 = minor  (C-Eb-G)
2 = diminished  (D-F-Ab)
3 = augmented  (Eb-G-B)
4 = minor  (F-Ab-C)
5 = major  (G-B-D)
6 = major  (Ab-C-Eb)
7 = diminished  (B-D-F)

[T-Block]

Melodic Minor (ascending)

C melodic minor scale ascending =  C  D  Eb  F  G  A  B  C

1 = minor  (C-Eb-G)
2 = minor  (D-F-A)
3 = augmented  (Eb-G-B)
4 = major  (F-A-C)
5 = major  (G-B-D)
6 = diminished  (A-C-Eb)
7 = diminished  (B-D-F)

[T-Block]

Melodic Minor (descending)

C melodic minor descending scale =  C  Bb  Ab  G  F  Eb  D  C

1 = minor (C-Eb-G)
2 = diminished (D-F-Ab)
3 = major (Eb-G-Bb)
4 = minor (F-Ab-C)
5 = minor (G-Bb-D)
6 = major (Ab-C-Eb)
7 = major (Bb-D-F)

[T-Block]

All Minor Scales Together

1 = minor  (C-Eb-G)
2 = diminished  (D-F-Ab)
3 = major, augmented  (Eb-G-Bb) (Eb-G-B)
4 = minor, major  (F-Ab-C) (F-A-C)
5 = minor, major  (G-Bb-D) (G-B-D)
6 = major, diminished  (Ab-C-Eb) (A-C-Eb)
7 = major, diminished  (Bb-D-F) (B-D-F)

[Prophetic Remnant]

This chorded harmonic minor scale in C minor follows the minor-diminished pattern prevalent in Brooklyn style gospel.

Harmonic Minor Scale

Eb G [C]
F Ab B [D]
G C [Eb]
Ab B D [F]
C Eb [G]
B D F [Ab]
D F Ab
Eb G [C]

[broraj]

I've been working on this scale and trying to transpose what I know in a Major scale chords to an Natural Minor Scale chords.  I was trying to do a 7-3-6 in C natural minor, but it didn't seem right when i transposed it from EbM to Cm. 

For Example:
Eb         -->        Cm
D/CFAb               Bb/AbDF
G/BEbFAb            Eb/AbCDF
C/BbEbG             Ab/GCEb

Could you guys please check it out and let me know what i'm doing wrong.  I'm bored at work trying to do this without my keyboard. lol

[T-Block]

The problem with what u have is that progressions are based off the major scale, not the minor scale.  So, a 7-3-6 in a major key is the same as a 2-5-1 in it's relative minor key.  Using your example:

Eb  LH/RH

D/CFAb (7)
G/BEbFAb (3)
C/BbEbG (6)


Cm  LH/RH

D/CFAb (2)
G/BEbFAb (5)
C/BbEbG (1)

You got that?  You don't develop all new progressions for the minor keys, you just take it's relative major key progressions and name them with the minor being 1.

[broraj]

Ok... that's good..So an example of a 7-3-6 in Cm would be...
Bb/AbCDbF
Eb/GCDbF
Ab/GBbCEb

Is this correct?

[T-Block]

Ok... that's good..So an example of a 7-3-6 in Cm would be...
Bb/AbCDbF
Eb/GCDbF
Ab/GBbCEb

Is this correct?

Nope, u still not getting the point.  You don't make up progressions based off the minor scale, only the major scale.  It won't work for the minor scale, trust me.  They are based off the major scale ONLY.  Don't try to figure it, just take my word for it.  What u have there is a 5-1-4 in Eb.

The only progressions that will fit the minor scale are: 1-5, 1-V7, 1-4, 1-4-5, 1-4-V7 and 2-V7-1

Minor Key Progressions

*1-5 (i-v) progression

C / C-Eb-G
G / G-Bb-D
(repeat)
*this progression is a 6-3 in Eb


*1-V7 (i-V7) progression

C / C-Eb-G
G / G-B-D-F  or  *G / F-G-B-Eb (this is actually a dom. 13th chord)
(repeat)
*this progression is a 6-3 (6-III7) in Eb


*1-4 (i-iv) progression

C / C-Eb-G
F / F-Ab-C
(repeat)
*this progression is a 6-2 in Eb


*1-4-5 (i-iv-v) progression

C / C-Eb-G
F / F-Ab-C
G / G-Bb-D
(repeat)
*this progression is a 6-2-3 in Eb


*1-4-V7 (i-iv-V7) progression

C / C-Eb-G
F / F-Ab-C
G / G-B-D-F  or  G / F-G-B-Eb
(repeat)
*this progression is a 6-2-3 (6-2-III7) in Eb


*2-V7-1 (ii-V7-i) progression

D / C-F-Ab
G / Cb-Eb-F-Bb  or  G / B-D-F-Ab  or  G / F-G-B-Eb
C / C-Eb-G
(repeat)
*this progression is a 7-3-6 (7-III7-6) in Eb

Just like with the major key progressions, experiment with different inversions to get the desired sound that you want.

Now, look study the above progressions carefully and you will notice that you are still using the notes of Eb major, even though you are now in Cm.  That's why a minor key can't have it's own porgressions.  Your ear will automatically go to notes of it's relative major.  So, even though you in a minor key, you still predominantly in it's major key at the same time.  There's no way around it.

Any ?'s

[broraj]

Ok... Maybe i missed something.  So you are saying that the only progressions that will fit the Minor scale are 1-5, 1-V7, 1-4, 1-4-5, 1-4-V7 and 2-V7-1.  So that means there is no 7-3-6? Is that correct.

[T-Block]

Ok... Maybe i missed something.  So you are saying that the only progressions that will fit the Minor scale are 1-5, 1-V7, 1-4, 1-4-5, 1-4-V7 and 2-V7-1.  So that means there is no 7-3-6? Is that correct.

Correct.  A true 7th scale degree is the leading tone (1/2 step from tonic) for a key.  In the case of a minor key, the 7th is a whole step away, therefore it doesn't function like a true 7th scale degree.  All the other progressions I mentioned do function like they do in the major key, 7 is the only one that doesn't.

[broraj]

Ok... I think i have it now.... thanks T-Block... You da man!!!!

[T-Block]

Glad I could help out.