Monday, August 07, 2006
Lesson-38 : Harmonic Minor - Consolidation of Understandings!
Harmonic Minor Scales:
Consolidation of our “Minor” understandings are as follows :
US – 1
The pattern of Harmonic Minor Scale is arrived at by effecting two changes from the Major scale pattern :
Reduction of Third Note of the scale by a Semi tone
Reduction of Sixth note of the scale by a Semi tone
Thus the resulting pattern is
( Whole + Semi + Whole ) + Whole + ( Semi + One & Half + Semi)
US – 2
The interval between each of the notes and the Tonic of the Harmonic Minor Scale is as follows:
When compared with Major scale, the Minor 3rd and Minor 6th intervals of Minor scale are the crucial one which makes the difference between the Major Scale and Minor Scale…!
US – 3
In order to arrive at a Common method between the Major and Minor scales, for finding the sequence and number of sharps and flats in progression, following method is adopted for the Minor scale:
· Represent the harmonic Minor scale omitting the sharp of Leading note
· (so that it can be equated mentally to particular Major scale in terms of number of sharps or flats )
· and then add back the sharp on the leading note separately, later.
US – 4
Considering the number of sharps (or flats) and their sequence of appearance, Every Major Scale is having an Equivalent Minor Scale, if we select the note a Minor Third below the Tonic of Major scale and make this as the Tonic of Minor scale. ( forgetting conveniently the sharp of Leading note of Minor scale
US – 5
Considering the Sharps sequence, the following are equivalent Major and Harmonic Minor scales (Tonics of which are separated by Minor Third)
US – 6
Considering the Flats sequence, the following are equivalent Major and Harmonic Minor scales (Tonics of which are separated by Minor Third)
Only additional thing to remember is to put a Sharp (or such accidental to raise the note) before the leading note of the Harmonic Minor scale every time without forgetting!
US – Key Signatures:
Key Signature is the Cluster of symbols of flats or sharps that are used in a specific scale under consideration. Such key signatures are written in the Stave in the beginning (after Clef symbol) once in each of the beginning of the line.
The Sharps or Flats as the case may be are written in a specifc sequence in the specific lines or spaces identified for this purpose.
By seeing the key signature location and noting the number of flats or sharps, one can easily say What the Scale of the song is….!
if any other notes, other than the above notes to be sharpened or flattened, these shall be written in front of the concerned notes separately wherever they occur.
Caution :
While writing the notes in score sheet, Please remember this,
· When you are using key signatures all the Sharps/ flats are taken into the key signatures, and only the sharp or natural symbols are added in front of the leading note.
· If you are not using the key signatures, then all the necessary notes shall be added with corresponding flats or sharps individually each time wherever it occurs; but there is no need to add separate natural symbol for a leading note which is raised to normalcy (from presumed flatness).
(That is to say, write a normal note as normal note only, and no need to add a flat and sharp symbol simultaneously in front of the leading note ! )
Consolidation of our “Minor” understandings are as follows :
US – 1
The pattern of Harmonic Minor Scale is arrived at by effecting two changes from the Major scale pattern :
Reduction of Third Note of the scale by a Semi tone
Reduction of Sixth note of the scale by a Semi tone
Thus the resulting pattern is
( Whole + Semi + Whole ) + Whole + ( Semi + One & Half + Semi)
US – 2
The interval between each of the notes and the Tonic of the Harmonic Minor Scale is as follows:
When compared with Major scale, the Minor 3rd and Minor 6th intervals of Minor scale are the crucial one which makes the difference between the Major Scale and Minor Scale…!
US – 3
In order to arrive at a Common method between the Major and Minor scales, for finding the sequence and number of sharps and flats in progression, following method is adopted for the Minor scale:
· Represent the harmonic Minor scale omitting the sharp of Leading note
· (so that it can be equated mentally to particular Major scale in terms of number of sharps or flats )
· and then add back the sharp on the leading note separately, later.
US – 4
Considering the number of sharps (or flats) and their sequence of appearance, Every Major Scale is having an Equivalent Minor Scale, if we select the note a Minor Third below the Tonic of Major scale and make this as the Tonic of Minor scale. ( forgetting conveniently the sharp of Leading note of Minor scale
US – 5
Considering the Sharps sequence, the following are equivalent Major and Harmonic Minor scales (Tonics of which are separated by Minor Third)
US – 6
Considering the Flats sequence, the following are equivalent Major and Harmonic Minor scales (Tonics of which are separated by Minor Third)
Only additional thing to remember is to put a Sharp (or such accidental to raise the note) before the leading note of the Harmonic Minor scale every time without forgetting!
US – Key Signatures:
Key Signature is the Cluster of symbols of flats or sharps that are used in a specific scale under consideration. Such key signatures are written in the Stave in the beginning (after Clef symbol) once in each of the beginning of the line.
The Sharps or Flats as the case may be are written in a specifc sequence in the specific lines or spaces identified for this purpose.
By seeing the key signature location and noting the number of flats or sharps, one can easily say What the Scale of the song is….!
if any other notes, other than the above notes to be sharpened or flattened, these shall be written in front of the concerned notes separately wherever they occur.
Caution :
While writing the notes in score sheet, Please remember this,
· When you are using key signatures all the Sharps/ flats are taken into the key signatures, and only the sharp or natural symbols are added in front of the leading note.
· If you are not using the key signatures, then all the necessary notes shall be added with corresponding flats or sharps individually each time wherever it occurs; but there is no need to add separate natural symbol for a leading note which is raised to normalcy (from presumed flatness).
(That is to say, write a normal note as normal note only, and no need to add a flat and sharp symbol simultaneously in front of the leading note ! )
