Question

There are ___ types of minor scales.
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six

Answer 1

A. Three

Step-by-step explanation:

The 3 types of minor scales are the following:

• Natural minor scale.
• Harmonic minor scale: The 7th is raised by a half-step.
• Melodic minor scale: Both the 6th and 7th are raised by a half-step when ascending, then go back to natural when descending.

Natural minor scales are actually formed starting on the 6th degree of a major scale, we call this a "relative scale". For example, let's say we have the C Major scale:

• C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

We can obtain a minor scale by starting on the 6th, which is "A" in this case:

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A

Of course, we can turn it around and obtain a major scale starting on the 3rd degree of a natural minor scale, let's look at another example, this time with the C natural minor scale

• C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C

Now, if we start from the 3rd degree, we obtain its relative major scale, which is Eb Major in this case:

• Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D - Eb