ABSTRACT
There are three types of minor scale (natural, harmonic, and melodic, Example 2.2) and you should learn how to sing each one correctly. The focus in these different versions of minor is clearly on the 6th and 7th scale degrees. The natural minor scale requires no accidentals, obeying the key signature precisely. The diatonic 7ˆ that lies a whole-step from the tonic (known in this form as the subtonic) has traditionally been raised by a half-step in order to replicate the leading-tone as it occurs in the major scale; the result can be seen in the harmonic minor scale. The interval of an augmented second between 6ˆ and 7ˆ in harmonic minor can be awkward to sing. For this reason the melodic minor scale has ascending and descending versions of 6ˆ and 7ˆ, allowing a minor-mode melody to have both a raised leading-tone and a lowered submediant, the latter of which maintains the characteristic sound of the minor mode.
