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→Relative Minor/Major
When two scales share the exact same set of notes, they are called relatives. For any major scale, there is a relative minor and vice versa. A Minor is the relative minor of C Major.
== A Minor Scale in Open Position ==
e----------------------------------------------
b----------------------------------------------
g-------------------0--2--0--------------------
d----------0--2--3-----------3--2--0-----------
a-0--2--3-----------------------------3--2--0--
e----------------------------------------------
a b c d e f g a g f e d c b a
e-------------------------------------------0--1--3-/5--
b----------------------------------0--1--3--------------
g----------------------------0--2-----------------------
d-------------------0--2--3-----------------------------
a----------0--2--3--------------------------------------
e-0--1--3-----------------------------------------------
e f g a b c d e f g a b c d e f g a
Playing one octave is a little new, but looking at all the notes in open position is exactly the same as C Major. Focus on playing the single octave ascending and descending.
== Understanding Minor Tonality ==
Now, remember what we said about the major scale - the major 7th as the 7th note wants to lead into the tonic. When playing the major scale, it is as if the tonic is a gravitational force, pulling melody and harmony towards it. So how can we play the same set of notes but not get pulled towards that note?
In many respects, we do get pulled to the note; but because we are starting on the 6th note of the major scale, ascending we hit the 7th immediately, before a real tonality is established. Descending we reach the tonic note of the major scale before that 7th.
Notice that the