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CIRCLE OF FIFTHS
Makeup of Major and Minor Scales
Every major scale has a relative minor, which has the exact same key signature, but
starts three, 1/2 steps below the tonic in the major. Minor scales have three forms:
1. Natural: Exact same notes as the relative major, without any chromatic alteration;
2. Melodic: Raised 6th and 7th step in the ascending form; the descending form is like the
natural;
3. Harmonic: Raised leading tone (both ascending and descending), which causes a step-and-ahalf interval between the 6th and 7th steps.
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Note also that works are not in "melodic minor" or "harmonic minor" keys; rather, composers
sprinkle these configurations throughout the work.
Key Areas (Major)
C
G
D
A
E
B
F#
C#
F
B flat
E flat
A flat
D flat
G flat
C flat
Key Areas (Minor)
a
e
b
F#
c#
g#
d#
a#
d
g
c
f
b flat
e flat
a flat
Parallel keys are a different thing altogether; what makes them parallel is that the scale starts
on the same note - but the key signatures are different. For example:
C Major (no sharps or flat) / c minor (three flats)
G Major (one sharp) / g minor (two flats)
D Major (two sharps) / d minor (one flat)..etc.
So the question really is, if an audition is asking for a "Parallel melodic minor scale" -- parallel
to what Major key? You will need to find that out, and then play a scale on that same tonic note
but with the melodic minor construction -- which of course is a raised 6th and 7th step in the
ascending form, and the "natural" form in the descending.
Supposing that the auditioner wants a melodic minor scale parallel to the A Major; then you
would play a melodic minor scale starting on the pitch "A," thus:
a b c d e f# g# a g natural f natural e d c b a
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Identifying Key Signatures
The order of the sharps (from left to right) is Fat Cows Gulp Daises And Eat Beans. The Flats are
the opposite: BEADGCF.
Rule for Sharp Keys: The key is 1/2 step above the last sharp (sharp furthest to the
right).
Rule for Flat Keys: The key is the next to the last flat. With F Major, you have to
memorize that it's one flat, since there is no "next to last."
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