Scale reference
A minor scale
A – B – C – D – E – F – G
The A minor scale runs A, B, C, D, E, F, G and then back to A. It follows the natural minor step pattern — tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone — which is what makes it minor rather than any other kind of scale.
It uses each letter name once, which is why it is written with no sharps or flats at all.
The notes
The step pattern
Every minor scale uses the same sequence of steps. Change the starting note and the pattern is what you keep.
- A1tone
- B2semi
- C3tone
- D4tone
- E5semi
- F6tone
- G7tone
- A8
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Interval from A | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tonic | Perfect unison | 0 |
| 2 | B | Supertonic | Major second | 2 |
| 3 | C | Mediant | Minor third | 3 |
| 4 | D | Subdominant | Perfect fourth | 5 |
| 5 | E | Dominant | Perfect fifth | 7 |
| 6 | F | Submediant | Minor sixth | 8 |
| 7 | G | Subtonic | Minor seventh | 10 |
The other two minor forms
Minor comes in three forms. They share the first five notes and differ near the top.
| Form | Notes | Why it exists |
|---|---|---|
| Natural minor | A – B – C – D – E – F – G | The plain form, matching the key signature. |
| Harmonic minor | A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯ | Raises the seventh degree, restoring the leading tone. |
| Melodic minor (ascending) | A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G♯ | Raises the sixth as well, smoothing the step-and-a-half gap. |
A piece in A minor will move between all three depending on what the harmony needs at that moment. See minor scales for how they are chosen.
Key signature
A minor is the scale of the key of A minor, which has no sharps or flats. The key page lists the seven chords built on these notes.