Natural Minor Vs Harmonic Minor: Understanding The Different Scales

Minor scales are a bit different than major scales. With major scales, there are only one kind. With minor scales, there are 3 main types. Here we'll look at the natural minor vs harmonic minor.

We'll go into the difference, how to figure them out using formulas or key signatures and finding the notes of each.

What is a Natural Minor Scale?

The natural minor scale is basically the basic minor scale and based on the key signature. It's the core scale that all others come form. It doesn't have any alterations to it like the melodic or harmonic minor scales do.

In terms of the formula, a natural minor scales is made up of whole tones (WT) and semi tones (ST). A whole tone is like going from C and D. A semi tone is like going from C to C#.

Natural Scale Formula

WT - ST - WT - WT - ST - WT - WT

Example using A natural minor:

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A

Another Way to Work out Natural Minors

While some like formulas, this isn't the only way to work out a natural minor scale. This is the way it works in my brain.

1. What is the starting note? For example, E.

2. What is the key signature of E minor? (Learn minor key signatures here.) E minor has F# in the key signature.

3. Play the scale using that key signature.

E minor is: E F# G A B C D E.

Note: If you know the major key signatures but not minor ones, learn how to figure out minor key signatures from major keys on the minor key signatures page.

What is a Harmonic Minor Scale?

The harmonic minor is based on the natural minor. So that is always your starting point. Basically, with a harmonic minor you raise the 7th note of the scale by one semi tone. This gives is a slightly different but very cool sound.

So we are altering the formula slightly.

Harmonic Minor Formula

WT - ST - WT - WT - ST - WT + ST - WT

(WT + ST means 3 semi tones altogether.)

Example using A harmonic minor:

A - B - C - D - E - F - G# - A

Another Way to Work Out Harmonic Minor Scales

I personally don't use the formulas to figure out harmonic minor scales. I think "raise the 7th". Because what a harmonic minor does is take the 7th note of the natural minor scale and puts it up one additional semi tone.

In the case of A minor, the G, the 7th note in the scale, becomes G#.

So these are the steps you can take to work out a harmonic minor scale.

1. What is the starting note / name of the scale? For example, E harmonic minor.

2. What is the key signature of E minor? It has F#. (See minor key signatures.)

3. What is the 7th note of the scale? For E minor it is D.

4. Raise the 7th note by one semi tone. D becomes D#.

The notes of the E harmonic minor scale are:

E F# G A B C D# E.

F# is in the key signature. D# is the raised 7th note making it a harmonic minor.

Natural Minor Vs Harmonic Minor Scale: Main Difference

Both the natural minor and harmonic minor scales are based on the minor key signature. However, the harmonic minor raises the 7th note of the scale by one semi-tone.

Examples:

D natural minor: D E F G A Bb C D

D harmonic minor: D E F G A Bb C# D

B natural minor: B C# D E F# G A B

B harmonic minor: B C# D E F# G A# B

And now you know the difference between a natural minor vs a harmonic minor scale.