One-Octave Scale: A Minor

Is the A minor scale on piano all white keys?

Yes, the A minor scale on pianos is all white keys, beginning on the note A. The key signature for this scale has no sharps or flats. C major is the relative major key, and uses the same key signature. 

How does the A minor scale compare to the A major scale on piano?

Both scales start on the note A, which means these are parallel keys. However, A minor is played with only the white keys. The A major scale uses three black keys: F-sharp, C-sharp, and G-sharp. Despite these differences, both A major and A minor scales are played with the same fingers on both hands. 

What are the different types of minor scales?

There are three types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic minor.

Natural minor is the version that uses the same notes as its relative major scale. It starts on the sixth note of its relative major scale and uses the same key signature.

In harmonic minor, the seventh scale degree is raised a half step. 

The melodic minor scale has both the sixth and seventh degrees raised a half step. These alterations are traditionally used when ascending and changed back to their natural minor pitches when descending. For pieces written in minor keys, the composer can choose when to use the raised sixth and seventh degrees.

What is the formula for constructing a minor scale?

From the starting note, the natural minor scale is built by ascending whole step – half step – whole step –  whole step – half step – whole step – whole step. To build this scale, start on A and go a whole step up to B, a half step to C, a whole step to D, a whole step to E, a half step to F, a whole step to G, and a whole step to A. 

What are some tips for practicing the A minor scale?

It’s best to start slowly and deliberately when practicing this scale. This scale uses the same finger patterns as A major for both the right and left hand, but plays only the white keys. You can use the graphics below for reference for the finger patterns.


The right hand fingers, beginning with the thumb on A, is 12312345


The left hand fingers, beginning with finger 5 on A, is 54321321. 

This finger pattern for the A minor piano scale stays the same for melodic and harmonic minor. Keep in mind that it’s easier to play a scale when you relax your hands. Let your fingers curve naturally and your wrists rotate gently to help cross your thumb underneath. 

Hello and welcome back. I'm Joseph Hoffman.

Today we're learning another one octave scale in a key which happens to be a relative of C major,

and that is the lovely key of A minor,

and what makes keys related to each other?

Well, think about if you're related to another person.

When you're related, that means you're in the same family, and it often means you share the same last name.

Or you may share the same home together.

Once, in my family it even meant sharing the same toothbrush.

I know it's icky, but we were on vacation and somebody forgot their toothbrush.

That somebody might have been me.

Well, in music if two different keys are related, they're not sharing the same toothbrush, they share the same key signature.

Which means they'll both use the exact same sharps or flats as each other.

Let's come to the piano to explore this a little further.

Here we have all the notes of the C major one octave scale, which as you know has zero sharps or flats.

Well today we're going to find the relative minor of C major.

To find the relative minor we always go a third below the starting or tonic key, and that would bring us to A.

So now we're looking at the A minor one octave scale.

Which is a relative of C major, because just like C major it's all white keys no sharps or flats.

It has the same key signature.

Now to be more specific this is called A natural minor.

There are actually a few variations on the minor scale and this particular variation is natural minor.

We can play the A natural minor scale using the same fingering we used for the C major one octave scale.

Let's start with our left hand,

and I'm placing my finger 5 on A,

and we'll go 5 4 ...