3.16 The D minor scale

In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the D minor scale by applying the sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole, starting from D. You’ll also learn how to make the harmonic and melodic D minor scale. In the videos, I show how to play the D minor scale on the piano. In the ear training exercise, you’ll learn how to recognize an wrongly played note in the F major scale and the A and D minor scales.

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1. The structure of the D minor scale

Every minor scale consists of the following sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole. When you apply this sequence starting from D, you get the tones D E F G A Bb C D.

 

Video

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Examples

Which tones will you get if you construct a minor scale, starting from D?

 

The D minor scale is comprised of the notes: D E F G A Bb C D.
The D minor scale has one flat: B flat.
This scale is also called the natural D minor scale.

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2. The D minor scale played on the piano

The D minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the D minor scale played with the right hand.

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The D minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the D minor scale played with the left hand.

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3. The structure of the harmonic D minor scale

In the harmonic minor scale, the seventh note is raised. When you apply this to the D minor scale, you get the tones D E F G A Bb C# D.

 

Video

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Examples

In the harmonic D minor scale, C, the seventh note, is raised to become a C#.

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4. The harmonic D minor scale played on the piano

The harmonic D minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the harmonic D minor scale played with the right hand.

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The harmonic D minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the harmonic D minor scale played with the left hand.

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5. The structure of the melodic D minor scale

In the melodic minor scale, the sixth and the seventh notes are both raised. When you apply this to the D minor scale, you get the tones D E F G A B C# D.

 

Video

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Examples

In the melodic D minor scale, Bb and C, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become B and C#.
Descending, the sixth and seventh tones of the melodic minor scale are often not raised, but played as the natural D minor scale.

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6. The melodic D minor scale played on the piano

The melodic D minor scale ascending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the melodic D minor scale played with the right hand.

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The melodic D minor scale ascending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.

 

The fingering of the melodic D minor scale played with the left hand.

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7. Ear training

 

Practise

Ear Training exercise 3k: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the F major scale and the A and D minor scales.

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Example question

In the next scale a wrong note is played:

Which note is played incorrectly?

 

Practical steps

The notated scale is the D minor scale. Sing the scale being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Listen to how this scale differs from the minor scale.

Answer: the wrong note being played is the third note, the B flat.

The D minor scale

• The D minor scale is comprised of the notes D E F G A Bb C D.
• The D minor scale has one flat: B flat.
• In the harmonic D minor scale, C, the seventh note, is raised to become a C#.
• In the melodic D minor scale, Bb and C, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become B and C#.

Ear Training exercise 3k: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the F major scale and the A and D minor scales.

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