It is because the Whole tone- Half-tone note interval positions are selected to fall on white keys, and never on black keys. So why does the A minor scale have no sharps or flats, and why is it the only minor scale with no sharps or flats ? The tonic note (shown as *) is the starting point and is always the 1st note in the natural minor scale.Īgain, the final 8th note is the octave note, having the same name as the tonic note. To count up a Half-tone (semitone), count up from the last note up by one physical piano key, either white or black. To count up a Whole tone, count up by two physical piano keys, either white or black. The natural minor scale uses the W-H-W-W-H-W-W note counting rule to identify the scale note positions. This step applies the minor scale note interval pattern starting from A, so that the correct piano keys and note pitches can be identified. So whereas the A major scale has notes C#, F#, G# for the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes, these notes are lowered to arrive at notes C, F, G for this natural minor scale. The difference between the A natural minor scale and the A major scale is that the 3rd, 6th and 7th note positions of the major scale are lowered by one half-tone / semitone. G is the subtonic of the A natural minor scaleĪ is the octave of the A natural minor scale A natural minor scale degrees Note no.Ī is the tonic of the A natural minor scaleī is the supertonic of the A natural minor scaleĬ is the mediant of the A natural minor scaleĭ is the subdominant of the A natural minor scaleĮ is the dominant of the A natural minor scaleį is the submediant of the A natural minor scale However, since the A minor scale has no sharps or flats, the diagram above is identical to that shown at A natural minor key signature, as there are no accidentals that sharpen or flatten the notes. A natural minor key signature, would show those symbols as a key signature next to the bass or treble clef symbol. These note names are shown below on the treble clef followed by the bass clef.įor all other minor scale keys, the staff diagram above would show the scale notes with the sharp and flat symbols shown before each note on the staff, and then the key signature page eg. Middle C (midi note 60) is shown with an orange line under the 2nd note on the piano diagram. The 8th note of the A natural minor scale is A The 7th note of the A natural minor scale is G The 6th note of the A natural minor scale is F The 5th note of the A natural minor scale is E The 4th note of the A natural minor scale is D The 3rd note of the A natural minor scale is C The 2nd note of the A natural minor scale is B The 1st note of the A natural minor scale is A A natural minor scale note names Note no. This minor scale key is on the Circle of 5ths - A minor on circle of 5ths, which means that it is a commonly used minor scale key. The A natural minor scale has no sharp or flat notes. It also shows the scale degree names for all 8 notes. This step shows the ascending A natural minor scale on the piano, treble clef and bass clef.