Major and Minor tonalities are really just about how a group of tones sound when spread apart at specific distances. We can move the group of tones around and it’s pitch will sound different but it will have the same sounding “tonality”
Just like Coke and Pepsi, they’re the two biggest names in the business but each has a few other flavors for those with a discerning taste for Dr Pepper or Mr. Pib.
Let’s Start Simple: A Key signature can only be Major or Minor
For instance, C Major contains all the natural notes (no sharps or flats) and is feels most at home when the note C is played. If we play the same notes but instead root the melody on the 6th Scale degree A, we have a new sounding scale called the Natural Minor Scale. You might also hear people say that A Minor is the Relative Minor or C Major.
If we want to use other notes outside of the key, go for it, just remember to indicate them with accidentals in the measures where they occur.
The idea of using the notes of the Major Scale but starting on a different root note is also called the Modes. We can make some really interesting music if we recognize the unique sound of each of the modes. <click here to learn about the modes>
Great, so, what exactly makes a key/scale/chord Minor?
It all comes down to the inflection of the chord tones; specifically whether the distance between the root and 3rd is 3 half-steps or 4.
Most simply, a chord/key/scale is Minor if the chord tones 3 and 7 are minor and the 5th is perfect.
The other notes can fill in the gaps however you like. you like the sound of a flat 4? Go for it…
How does it sound different from Major?
Minor is a tonality that creates a feel often described as sad or melancholy; this of course is subjective but if you listen to the difference between a Major 3rd and Minor 3rd it’s noticeable.
How does it sound compared to Major? Listen to the Audio to hear the below first in A Minor and then next in the Parallel Key of A Major.
Minor Chords
Minor Playalong
Leave a Reply