8.18 The B flat minor scale
Category: Harmony | Tags: Minor scales, Ear training: scales |
Theory
In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the B flat minor scale by applying the sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole, starting from B flat. You’ll also learn how to make the harmonic and melodic B flat minor scale. In the videos, I show how to play the B flat minor scale on the piano. In the ear training exercise, you’ll learn how to recognize an wrongly played note in the F sharp and G flat major scales and the B flat minor scale.
1. The structure of the B flat minor scale
Every minor scale consists of the following sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole. When you apply this sequence starting from B flat, you get the tones Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb.
Video
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Examples
Which tones will you get if you construct a minor scale, starting from B flat?
The B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes: Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb.
The B flat minor scale has five flats: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat and G flat.
This scale is also called the natural B flat minor scale.
2. The B flat minor scale played on the piano
The B flat minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the B flat minor scale played with the right hand.
The B flat minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the B flat minor scale played with the left hand.
3. The structure of the harmonic B flat minor scale
In the harmonic minor scale, the seventh note is raised. When you apply this to the B flat minor scale, you get the tones Bb C Db Eb F Gb A Bb.
Video
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Examples
In the harmonic B flat minor scale, Ab, the seventh note, is raised to become an A.
4. The harmonic B flat minor scale played on the piano
The harmonic B flat minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic B flat minor scale played with the right hand.
The harmonic B flat minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic B flat minor scale played with the left hand.
5. The structure of the melodic B flat minor scale
In the melodic minor scale, the sixth and the seventh notes are both raised. When you apply this to the B flat minor scale, you get the tones Bb C Db Eb F G A Bb.
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Examples
In the melodic B flat minor scale, Gb and Ab, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become G and A.
Descending, the sixth and seventh tones of the melodic B flat minor scale are often not raised, but played as the natural B flat minor scale.
6. The melodic B flat minor scale played on the piano
The melodic B flat minor scale ascending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic B flat minor scale played with the right hand.
The melodic B flat minor scale ascending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic B flat minor scale played with the left hand.
7. Ear training
Practise
Ear Training exercise 8c: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the F sharp and G flat major scales and the B flat minor scale.
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In the next scale a wrong note is played:
Which note is played incorrectly?
Practical steps
The notated scale is the F sharp major scale. Sing the scale being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Listen to how this scale differs from the major scale.
Answer: the wrong note being played is the first note, the F#.
Summary
The B flat minor scale
- The B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb.
- The B flat minor scale has five flats: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat and G flat.
- In the harmonic B flat minor scale, Ab, the seventh note, is raised to become an A.
- In the melodic B flat minor scale, Gb and Ab, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become G and A.
Ear training
Ear Training exercise 8c: being able to hear a wrongly played note in the F sharp and G flat major scales and the B flat minor scale.
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