Minor Keys & Scales

This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category.

Objectives

• 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

Class Activities

• 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

• Writing minor scales
• Identifying minor key signatures
• Writing minor key signatures