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Scales – Next Level – Natural Minor

Natural minor scales are closely related to major scales.

In fact, every major scale has a relative minor—a minor scale that uses the same key signature, but with a very different sound.

Once you know major scales, minor scales are easy!

What You Need to Know

  • Every major scale has a relative minor
  • The relative minor uses the same key signature as the major scale
  • The minor scale starts on a different note – the 6th note of the major scale

This is the easiest way to understand and play minor scales.

How to Find the Relative Minor

To find the natural minor for a major scale:

Start on the 6th note of the major scale

Example: C Major → A Minor

C major scale:
C D E F G A B C

The 6th note is A

So the relative minor is A minor

What does that mean?

  • A minor uses the same key signature as C major (no sharps or flats)
  • But it starts and ends on A

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

This is the key idea: Same key signature, different starting note

More Examples

F Major → D Minor

  • F major has Bb
  • D minor also has Bb

G Major → E Minor

  • G major has F#
  • E minor also has F#

Bb Major → G Minor

How to Play a Natural Minor Scale

To play a natural minor scale:

  1. Find the relative major
  2. Use the same key signature
  3. Start on the 6th scale degree

That’s it!

What It Sounds Like

Natural minor scales have a different sound than major scales—often described as darker or more serious.

How It Is Built

Natural minor scales also follow a pattern of whole steps and half steps:

Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole

This explains how the scale is constructed, but in practice, most players rely on key signatures and relative major relationships.

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