Minor Keys & Scales
This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category. |
Objectives[edit]
- Students will be able to write the natural minor, harmonic minor, or melodic minor scale on a given note.
- Students will be able to write the key signature for a given minor key in treble and bass clef.
- Students will be able to identify the minor key represented by a given key signature.
- Students will be able to identify the key of a short melodic segment
- Students will be able to label melodies with solfege (fixed and moveable do; both la and do-based)
- Student will understand the difference between fixed do and moveable do
- Student will understand the difference between la-based and do-based minor
- Student will be able to identify parallel and relative key relationships between major and minor scales
Resources[edit]
Readings[edit]
- R. Hutchinson. "Minor Scales and Key Signatures." (Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom).
- T. Rush. "Minor Scales." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- T. Rush. "Keys Signatures." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- T. Rush. "The Circle of Fifths." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- T. Rush. "Relative and Parallel Keys." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- K. Schaffer. "Key Signatures." (Open Music Theory).
- S. Acevedo. "Handout on Deriving Scales and Key Signatures."
- Teoria.com Tutorial:
- MusicTheory.net Tutorial:
Tools[edit]
- R. Scullard: Interactive Circle of Fifths
- Teoria.com Scale Constructor
- MusicTheory.net Scale Calculator
- MusicTheory.net Key Calculator
Class Activities[edit]
- Discussion and definition of the natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales
- Proper notation in treble and bass clef of the key signature for a given minor key
- Identification of key signature for music from different genres and time periods
- Discussion of fixed vs. moveable do solfege systems and their use in minor
Assignments[edit]
- Writing minor scales
- Identifying minor key signatures
- Writing minor key signatures
Drills[edit]
- Teoria.com:
- Musictheory.net: