Every # major scale has corresponding minor scales. As we have seen in the various song books that we can see some minor chords in a song. The concept of minor scales is just very similar to major scale. The only differences are the triads and the root notes. But the notes affected are the same.
First, to derive the minor scale of a major key signatures. Same rules apply as discussed before, “move the pitch of the root note, 3 steps down”
Take note that these are full root notes not sharp version of the notes:
“do”- C
“re” – D
“mi” – E
“fa” – F
“so”- G
“la” – A
“ti” – B
“do”- C
Those are the 8 notes. Then supposing we would like to find the equivalent minor scale for a D major. The root note of a D major is “re”, then moving 3 steps downward will be : “re”-”do”-”ti” . Therefore the resulting root note is “ti”, and the associated key is “B”, added with “minor” , the corresponding minor scale will be “B minor”.
Let’s have another example, this time “E major”. Then 3 steps down is “do” or “C” because of “mi”-”re”-”do”. BUT, “do” is one of the notes affected in E major. Therefore it should be “C#”, added with “minor”, the corresponding minor scale will be “C# minor”.
Another illustration is “A major”. Then 3 steps down is “la”-”so”-”fa”. But the notes affected for an “A major” is fa,do,so. “fa” is one of the notes affected. Then it should be “F#”, added with “minor”, the corresponding minor scale will be “F#minor”.
See the table below for the complete # minor scale information:
Take note that in the table above, the notes affected are the same. The differences are the triads and the root notes.
For their key signatures and the placement of sharps in the staff, it is basically the same with their sharp major scale counterpart.
E minor scale/key signature:
B minor scale/key signature:
C# minor scale /key signature:
G# minor scale/key signature:
Now that we have enough theory, we can start to write a song in minor keys. Supposing we like to write a song in B minor. The notes affected is “fa” and “do”.
In my previous discussion, as long as the notes fall to the chords triad, it will not sound like out of tune. See example writing below:
Take note that all notes affected by raised by half step : “fa” to “fa#” and “do” to “do#”.
There are great songs written in sharp minor scale. For example are “Hotel California” by Eagles (B minor), “Drive” by Incubus (E minor”), or “To be with you” by Mr. Big (C#m)
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