Originally Posted by: Abadez
nice explaining.
but how about Minor chords formula? i knew that ( 1-4-5 are always Majors in Key majors.
But how about in the key of Minors? how is the formula looks like?
because, i am stuck with something.
Many thanks
There are three different minor scales: natural, harmonic and melodic.
A natural minor scale is "easiest" to derive from a diatonic major scale.
The sixth degree of major scale is a root of a relative minor scale.
If we look at the key of C major (-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-B° ) the 6th degree is Am. For the key Am we simply use the same chords, but start from Am.
Then the chords in A natural minor are
Am - B° - C - Dm - Em - F - G
So, the chord formula for natural minor keys is
i - ii° - III - iv - v - VI - VII
To convert a natural minor scale to a harmonic minor scale the 7th degree note of the scale is raised by a half step.
That 7th degree note is present in III, v and VII chords of the scale. Those chords must be altered.
The III chord now has a major 3rd and augmented 5th intervals, the chord is augmented III+
The v chord now has a major 3rd and perfect 5th intervals, the chord is major V
The VII chord now has a a minor 3rd and diminished 5th intervals, the chord is diminished vii°
The chord formula for a harmonic minor key is
i - ii° - III+ - iv - V - VI - vii°
To convert a natural minor scale to a melodic minor scale the 6th and 7th degree notes are raised by a half step.
We need to analyse all the chords, which have either 6th or 7th degree note.
The 7th degree note is the same as in harmonic minor.
The 6th degree note is present in ii°, iv and VI chords.
The ii° chord now has a minor 3rd and perfect 5th intervals, the chord is minor ii
The iv chord now has a major 3rd and perfect 5th intervals, the chord is major IV
The VI chord now has a minor 3rd and diminished 5th intervals, the chord is diminished vi°
The chord formula for a melodic minor key is
i - ii - III+ - IV - V - vi° - vii°
In major keys I-IV-V chords are major
In natural minor i-iv-v chords are minor
In harmonic minor chords are i-iv-V
In melodic minor chords are i-IV-V
