Major and Minor Scales
Major (Ionian)
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- From C
- C D E F G A B
- Where it is used
- The central major-key scale.
Natural minor (Aeolian)
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- From C
- C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭
- Where it is used
- The minor scale that shares its notes with the relative major.
Harmonic minor
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7
- From C
- C D E♭ F G A♭ B
- Where it is used
- The raised seventh gives minor keys a leading tone.
Melodic minor (ascending)
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7
- From C
- C D E♭ F G A B
- Where it is used
- Classical practice lowers the sixth and seventh on the way down; jazz keeps this form both ways.
Other chapters: Triads · Sixths and Added Notes · Seventh Chords · Extended and Altered Chords · The Modes · Pentatonic and Blues · Symmetrical Scales · Jazz Scales · Color Scales
Chord symbols and voicings vary by style. No chord–scale pairing is right in every context.
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