7.19 The F minor scale

In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the F minor scale by applying the sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole, starting from F. You’ll also learn how to make the harmonic and melodic F minor scale. In the videos, I show how to play the F minor scale on the piano.

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1. The structure of the F minor scale

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

 

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Examples

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

 

The F minor scale is comprised of the notes: F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F.
The F minor scale has four flats: B flat, E flat, A flat and D flat.
This scale is also called the natural F minor scale.

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2. The F minor scale played on the piano

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

 

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

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

 

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

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3. The structure of the harmonic F minor scale

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

 

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Examples

In the harmonic F minor scale, Eb, the seventh note, is raised to become an E.

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4. The harmonic F minor scale played on the piano

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

 

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

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

 

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

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5. The structure of the melodic F minor scale

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

 

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Examples

In the melodic F minor scale, Db and Eb, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become D and E.
Descending, the sixth and seventh tones of the melodic minor scale are often not raised, but played as the natural F minor scale.

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6. The melodic F minor scale played on the piano

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

 

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

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

 

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

The F minor scale

• The F minor scale is comprised of the notes F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F.
• The F minor scale has four flats: B flat, E flat, A flat and D flat.
• In the harmonic F minor scale, Eb, the seventh note, is raised to become an E.
• In the melodic F minor scale, Db and Eb, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become D and E.