NATURAL MINORS Meaning and
Definition
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Natural minors, also known as Aeolian modes, refer to a specific group of musical scales that belong to the larger family of minor scales. These scales are called "natural" minors because they are the basic minor scales developed from the diatonic major scale without any alterations or modifications.
To understand natural minors, it is important to grasp the concept of scale degrees. A scale degree is a specific note within a scale, and the major scale consists of seven scale degrees. When constructing a natural minor scale, the formula is derived by starting from the sixth scale degree of its relative major scale. This means that the natural minor scale uses the same notes as the major scale but begins on a different degree.
The pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) in a natural minor scale is as follows: H-W-W-H-W-W-W. This creates a distinct tonality that differs from the relative major, evoking a more melancholic or somber mood.
Natural minors are widely used in various genres of music, particularly in classical, jazz, and popular styles. They are often utilized to convey sadness, introspection, or other emotional qualities. Musicians and composers employ natural minors for melodies, chord progressions, and harmonies due to their distinctive sound.
Overall, natural minors are an essential element of music theory, providing a fundamental framework for understanding and creating minor scales in relation to their corresponding major scales.
Common Misspellings for NATURAL MINORS
- batural minors
- matural minors
- jatural minors
- hatural minors
- nztural minors
- nstural minors
- nwtural minors
- nqtural minors
- narural minors
- nafural minors
- nagural minors
- nayural minors
- na6ural minors
- na5ural minors
- natyral minors
- nathral minors
- natjral minors
- natiral minors
- nat8ral minors
- nat7ral minors
Etymology of NATURAL MINORS
The etymology of the term "natural minors" is derived from both Latin and English.
The word "minor" is derived from the Latin word "minor", which means "less" or "smaller". In music theory, the term "minor" refers to a scale or chord that is characterized by a minor third and perfect fifth interval.
The word "natural" in this context refers to the basic or unaltered form of the minor scale. It is used to distinguish it from other variations or alterations of the minor scale, such as the harmonic minor or melodic minor.
Therefore, "natural minors" refer to the versions of the minor scale that are not altered or modified, maintaining the intervals of a minor third and perfect fifth.
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