Minor Key

What is a Minor Key?

A minor key is a tonal framework based on the minor scale, characterised by a darker, more expressive quality compared to a major key. It is widely used to evoke emotions such as sadness, tension, or introspection in melody writing and composition.

Features of a Minor Key

Scale Structure

Minor scales come in three types, each with a distinct structure:

• Natural Minor:T****one - Semitone - Tone - Tone - Semitone - Tone - Tone.
  • Example: A Minor: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A.
• Harmonic Minor: Same as natural minor, but the 7th note is raised by a semitone.
  • Example: A Harmonic Minor: A-B-C-D-E-F-G#-A.
• Melodic Minor: Raises the 6th and 7th notes by a semitone ascending; reverts to natural minor descending.
  • Example: A Melodic Minor: A-B-C-D-E-F#-G#-A (ascending); A-G-F-E-D-C-B-A (descending).

Key Signature

• Shares the same key signature as its relative major key.
  • Example: A Minor has no sharps or flats, just like C Major.

Tonality

• Built around the tonic (1st note of the scale).
• Important degrees:
  • Dominant (5th): Creates tension (e.g., E in A Minor).
  • Submediant (6th): Can influence the mood (e.g., F in A Minor).

Chords in a Minor Key

• Common triads in a minor key:
  • i (Tonic): The home chord (e.g., A minor).
  • iv (Subdominant): Adds tension (e.g., D minor).
  • V (Dominant): Often used in harmonic minor to create a stronger resolution (e.g., E major in A minor).

How to Use a Minor Key in Melody Writing

Choose the Key

• Select a minor key to match the intended mood or character of the melody.

Establish the Tonic

• Begin and/or end your melody on the tonic note to ground the tonality.

Incorporate the Minor Scale

• Use the natural, harmonic, or melodic minor scales to create variety.
  • Example: Use G# (raised 7th) from the harmonic minor to lead into the tonic (A).

Plan Cadences

• Use cadences to define your phrases:
  • Perfect Cadence (V-i): Provides strong resolution (e.g., E to A minor).
  • Imperfect Cadence (i-V): Adds tension (e.g., A minor to E).