The natural minor scale is another seven-note collection with its own interval pattern. Compared with the major scale, it has a lowered third, sixth, and seventh. Its musical effect depends on melody, harmony, register, and performance rather than on the scale name alone.
The formula: T-S-T-T-S-T-T
Like the major scale, the natural minor has a fixed pattern of tones and semitones. Comparing the two patterns shows the lowered third, sixth, and seventh degrees.
Major pattern
Natural minor pattern
Three notes are lowered compared to the major scale: the 3rd, 6th, and 7th. The flattened 3rd is the biggest deal - it's what makes it sound minor.
A natural minor
A minor is the "default" minor key for the same reason C major is the default major key - it uses only white keys.
A natural minor step by step
A natural minor - all white keys from A to A
Relative major and minor
Here's a fascinating connection: C major and A minor use the exact same notes - just starting from different places. They're called relatives.
Same seven notes, different starting point and tonal centre
Every major key has a relative minor that starts 3 semitones below it. C major's relative minor is A minor. D major's relative minor is B minor. This pattern always holds.
Intervals from the root
Here are the semitone distances that define the natural minor scale, compared with the major.
The natural minor scale in numbers: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10.
Hear the difference
Same root note, different scale. The minor 3rd (Eb instead of E) is the defining sound change.
Try it
Compare C major and C minor above and predict which three scale degrees change before playing them. Write the minor scale from C, then check that degrees 3, 6, and 7 are each one semitone lower than in C major.
Build the same pattern from a different root, such as D, to practise the formula rather than memorising only the white-key example.
Key takeaway
The natural minor uses T-S-T-T-S-T-T (semitones: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10). It's the major scale with degrees 3, 6, and 7 lowered by one semitone. Every major key has a relative minor starting 3 semitones below (C major = A minor). Same notes, different emotional centre.
Next: variations on the minor scale that composers created to solve specific problems.
Try natural minor in Starts
Select "Minor" as your scale and hear how all generated parts use these darker intervals.