Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: Urgent Last Minute Question
Forums > ABRSM > Theory and Composition
Lemontree
I don't know, if I get it right:

When a minor scale (let's say for example A minor) is ascending harmonically, the 3rd is a minor third, the 6th is a major 6th and the 7th is a minor 7th. In this case, the descending scale would be the same.

(A B C D E F G# A G# F E D C B A)

When a A minor is ascending melodically, the 3rd is a minor third, the 6th is a minor 6th and the 7th is a minor 7th. Descending, it would be a major 6th and a major 7th.

(A B C D E F# G# A G F E D C B A)


Is this correct?

Would it be for each of the scales in minor this way?

sbhoa
The notes you have written are correct but you got the major/minor 6ths and 7ths a little confused in your description.
Minor scales are all constructed it the same way.

It may help to remember that the minor scale begins on the 6th degree of it's related major.
For Harmonic you raise the 7th (leading note) by a semitone.
For melodic you raise 6th and 7th by a semitone going up and use only the notes in the key signature going down.
maggiemay
Yes, I thought the same thing.
Lemontree
How would it be correct then and why?
SueHM
Argh, no, this is all a bit scrambled I'm afraid.

A to F is a minor 6th, A to F sharp is major 6th
A to G is a minor 7th, A to G sharp is a major 7th

The pattern of intervals is the same in all harmonic and melodic scales. However, trying to work out intervals thinking about minor scales is likely to lead to confusion.

I would suggest that you work them out by looking at the bottom note first and treating this as the tonic of a major scale eg

A major = A B Csharp D E Fsharp Gsharp A. If you get the note that is in the major scale, then you have a major or perfect interval.

A-A = perfect unison / octave
A-B = major 2nd
A-Csharp = major 3rd
A-D = perfect 4th
A-E = perfect 5th
A-Fsharp = major 6th
A-Gsharp = major 7th

If the interval is smaller than expected, it is minor

A-Bflat = minor2nd
A-C = minor 3rd
A-F = minor 6th
A-G = minor 7th

Knowing that the prevailing key is major or minor doesn't really help you get the right answer.

Things get a bit more complicated later with diminished and augmented intervals, but the same method will work for those too.

Hope this helps....
Lemontree
Thank you for the answer.

Would it be correct as a mind bridge to say, if the note is part of the mayor scale with the same key note, than it is major. If it is not, it is minor?
sbhoa
QUOTE(Lemontree @ Nov 3 2009, 07:05 PM) *

Thank you for the answer.

Would it be correct as a mind bridge to say, if the note is part of the mayor scale with the same key note, than it is major. If it is not, it is minor?

Except for 4th 5th ands octave which are perfect.
Lemontree
Yes! Thanks, of course.

Now I got it. Appreciate the help. Many thanks.

Exam tomorrow. Good luck to all those in the same misery rolleyes.gif
SueHM
Best of luck!

eldatom
good luck for tomorrow lemontree
pianophrase
QUOTE(eldatom @ Nov 3 2009, 10:28 PM) *

good luck for tomorrow lemontree



Yes good luck Lemontree smile.gif

Eldatom, when do you expect to hear your results ? smile.gif
eldatom
QUOTE(pianophrase @ Nov 4 2009, 02:34 PM) *

QUOTE(eldatom @ Nov 3 2009, 10:28 PM) *

good luck for tomorrow lemontree



Yes good luck Lemontree smile.gif

Eldatom, when do you expect to hear your results ? smile.gif


Ages yet, Christmas Eve I am told by past students - so could be a nice Christmas present or a horrible one, seems an age a go now and I am feeling more positive as time goes on, lets hope that I am not disillusioning myself! lol
Maizie
QUOTE(eldatom @ Nov 4 2009, 05:24 PM) *
Ages yet, Christmas Eve I am told by past students - so could be a nice Christmas present or a horrible one, seems an age a go now and I am feeling more positive as time goes on, lets hope that I am not disillusioning myself! lol
Look on your course record page (not the course home page, the one which tells you e.g. tutor details, despatch dates). At the top of that it should tell you your results are expected by.....
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.