The Guitar Source

Part 2 - Melody

There are three different types of minor scales:

a) Natural Minor Scale
b) Melodic Minor Scale
c) Harmonic Minor Scale

The minor scales all differ from the major scale by having a flattened third note. This is referred to as a MINOR THIRD. This gives it its sad, minor sound. Let's look at the natural minor scale first.

The Step Pattern is as follows:

So, in the key of A minor (note, as in C major, there are no sharps or flats), we get:

On the guitar, we could play it on the G string (3^rd string) like this:

Since it is not entirely functional to play a scale on a single string, we can find the notes of this scale across all strings:

Fingering for Root Note on 5^th String:

This pattern can be used when the root note of the natural minor scale falls anywhere on the 5^th string.

Fingering for Root Note on 6^th String:

This pattern can be used when the root note of the natural minor scale falls anywhere on the 6^th string.