Answer:
- Natural minor: no leading tone, both ascending and descending
- Harmonic minor: leading tone, ascending only
- Melodic minor: leading tone, ascending only, reverts to natural minor descending
Step-by-step explanation:
Here is how to tell the difference between a natural minor, a melodic minor, and a harmonic minor:
Natural minor:
- The natural minor scale is the most basic form of the minor scale.
- It is created by starting on the sixth degree of the major scale and descending by whole steps.
- For example, the natural minor scale of C minor is C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb.
Harmonic minor:
- The harmonic minor scale is a variation of the natural minor scale. The only difference is that the seventh degree is raised by one semitone.
- This creates a leading tone, which is a note that is one semitone below the tonic. The leading tone creates a strong pull towards the tonic, which is why it is often used in cadences.
- For example, the harmonic minor scale of C minor is C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B.
Melodic minor:
- The melodic minor scale is another variation of the natural minor scale. In the ascending form, the sixth and seventh degrees are raised by one semitone.
- This creates a more open and brighter sound. In the descending form, the melodic minor scale reverts back to the natural minor scale.
- For example, the ascending melodic minor scale of C minor is C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B.
