7.21 The G sharp minor scale
Category: Harmony | Tags: Minor scales, Ear training: scales |
Theory
In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the G sharp minor scale by applying the sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole, starting from G sharp. You’ll also learn how to make the harmonic and melodic G sharp minor scale. In the videos, I show how to play the G sharp minor scale on the piano. In the ear training exercise, you’ll learn how to recognize an wrongly played note in the B and D flat major scales and the F and G sharp minor scales.
1. The structure of the G sharp minor scale
Every minor scale consists of the following sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole. When you apply this sequence starting from G sharp, you get the tones G# A# B C# D# E F# G#.
Video
Get the full course
Examples
Which tones will you get if you construct a minor scale, starting from G sharp?
The G sharp minor scale is comprised of the notes: G# A# B C# D# E F# G#.
The G sharp minor scale has five sharps: F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp and A sharp.
This scale is also called the natural G sharp minor scale.
2. The G sharp minor scale played on the piano
The G sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the G sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The G sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the G sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
3. The structure of the harmonic G sharp minor scale
In the harmonic minor scale, the seventh note is raised. When you apply this to the G sharp minor scale, you get the tones G# A# B C# D# E F## G#.
Video
Get the full course
Examples
In the harmonic G sharp minor scale, F#, the seventh note, is raised to become a F##.
4. The harmonic G sharp minor scale played on the piano
The harmonic G sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic G sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The harmonic G sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic G sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
5. The structure of the melodic G sharp minor scale
In the melodic minor scale, the sixth and the seventh notes are both raised. When you apply this to the G sharp minor scale, you get the tones G# A# B C# D# E# F## G#.
Video
Get the full course
Examples
In the melodic G sharp minor scale, E and F#, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become E# and F##.
Descending, the sixth and seventh tones of the melodic G sharp minor scale are often not raised, but played as the natural G sharp minor scale.
6. The melodic G sharp minor scale played on the piano
The melodic G sharp minor scale ascending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic G sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The melodic G sharp minor scale ascending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic G sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
7. Ear training
Practise
Ear Training exercise 7c: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the B and D flat major scales and the F and G sharp minor scales.
Get the full courseExample question
In the next scale a wrong note is played:
Which note is played incorrectly?
Practical steps
The notated scale is the melodic G sharp minor scale. Sing the scale being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Listen to how this scale differs from the melodic minor scale.
Answer: the wrong note being played is the sixth note, the B.
Summary
The G sharp minor scale
- The G sharp minor scale is comprised of the notes G# A# B C# D# E F# G#.
- The G sharp minor scale has five sharps: F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp and A sharp.
- In the harmonic G sharp minor scale, F#, the seventh note, is raised to become a F##.
- In the melodic G sharp minor scale, E and F#, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become E# and F##.
Ear training
Ear Training exercise 7c: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the B and D flat major scales and the F and G sharp minor scales.
Get the full course