The G minor scale is based on the natural minor scale formula, which follows this sequence of intervals (distances between the notes):
Formula for a Natural Minor Scale:
Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole
Now, let’s apply this formula to the G minor scale, step by step:
Notes of the G Minor Scale:
- G (Root note)
- The starting note of the scale. This is your home note, the tonic.
- A (Whole step above G)
- A whole step above G (G to A is 2 semitones).
- Bb (Half step above A)
- A half step above A is Bb (A to Bb is 1 semitone).
- C (Whole step above Bb)
- A whole step above Bb is C (Bb to C is 2 semitones).
- D (Whole step above C)
- A whole step above C is D (C to D is 2 semitones).
- Eb (Half step above D)
- A half step above D is Eb (D to Eb is 1 semitone).
- F (Whole step above Eb)
- A whole step above Eb is F (Eb to F is 2 semitones).
- G (Whole step above F, and back to the root)
- Finally, a whole step above F takes us back to G, completing the octave (F to G is 2 semitones).
Summary of the Notes:
G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G
So the full G minor scale (natural minor) consists of the following notes:
- G (root)
- A (major 2nd)
- Bb (minor 3rd)
- C (perfect 4th)
- D (perfect 5th)
- Eb (minor 6th)
- F (minor 7th)
- G (octave)
Understanding the Intervals:
- Whole step = 2 semitones (or keys on the piano, including both white and black keys).
- Half step = 1 semitone (the distance between two adjacent keys, like from one white key to the adjacent black key, or from one white key to the next white key).
Why is it called the “natural” minor scale?
The term “natural” is used to differentiate this scale from the harmonic minor or melodic minor scales. In the natural minor scale, no notes are altered or “raised.”
For example, in the G harmonic minor scale, the 7th note (F) is raised to F#, creating a distinctive step-and-a-half interval between F# and G. In the G melodic minor scale, both the 6th (Eb) and 7th (F) notes are raised when ascending, but revert to their natural forms (Eb and F) when descending.
Scale Summary:
- G (root)
- A (major 2nd)
- Bb (minor 3rd)
- C (perfect 4th)
- D (perfect 5th)
- Eb (minor 6th)
- F (minor 7th)
- G (octave)
This natural minor scale gives a dark or melancholic sound, which is common in many types of music, from classical to rock and beyond.