B Minor Scale
The B natural minor scale runs B, C sharp, D, E, F sharp, G, A and back to B. Its key signature has two sharps, F sharp and C sharp. The natural A at the top sits a whole step below B.
- Notes: B-C sharp-D-E-F sharp-G-A
- Key signature: two sharps
- Relative major: D major
Where are the half steps?
B natural minor follows whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. C sharp-D and F sharp-G are its half-step pairs. Find those adjacent keys first, then fill in the notes between them.
B-D-F sharp forms a B-minor chord. For a direct major/minor comparison, play B-D sharp-F sharp next. The raised third D sharp belongs to B major, which is a different parallel scale. It is not the same change as raising the seventh in B harmonic minor.
Why are C and F sharp?
The natural-minor pattern from B needs a whole step to C sharp and another whole step from E to F sharp. C natural would make B-C a half step. F natural would change E-F into a half step. The sharps hold the two small steps at C sharp-D and F sharp-G.
D major uses exactly the same seven pitch names. D major and B minor therefore share a key signature. Play D-F sharp-A-D, then B-D-F sharp-B over a B bass to hear two centers using that collection.
Which chords come from B natural minor?
Build triads on successive notes: Bm, C sharp diminished, D, Em, F sharp minor, G and A. Try Bm-G-A-Bm. All the notes stay within the natural-minor scale.
A minor-key cadence may use F sharp major instead of F sharp minor. F sharp-A sharp-C sharp is the major chord and A sharp is a half step below B. Play F sharp minor-Bm, then F sharp major-Bm. That single changed note gives the second pair a more directed return.
Try the changed seventh
Play B-D-F sharp as a chord. Above it, play A-B twice, then A sharp-B twice. Keep the same timing. The comparison lets you hear the seventh-degree choice without confusing it with the scale's minor third.