F Minor Scale
The F natural minor scale runs F, G, A flat, B flat, C, D flat, E flat and back to F. Its four flats are B flat, E flat, A flat and D flat in key-signature order. The chord F-A flat-C lets you hear its minor third immediately.
- Notes: F-G-A flat-B flat-C-D flat-E flat
- Key signature: four flats
- Relative major: A flat major
What does the note pattern look like?
Play F-G-A flat-B flat-C-D flat-E flat-F. Natural minor places half steps between its second and third notes and between its fifth and sixth. Here those pairs are G-A flat and C-D flat. E flat-F is a whole step.
Compare the parallel F-major scale, F-G-A-B flat-C-D-E. Lower A to A flat, D to D flat, and E to E flat to make F natural minor. Both scales begin on F, but three scale degrees change. The Minor Scales shows the general pattern.
Why does F minor share a signature with A flat major?
A flat major uses A flat-B flat-C-D flat-E flat-F-G. Reorder those same seven pitches from F and you get F natural minor. The key signature lists four flats for either key; the melody, bass and chords determine which note sounds like home.
Hold F-A flat-C, then play the scale ending on F. Next hold A flat-C-E flat and end a line on A flat. The different resting chords are more informative than simply noticing that the two note lists match.
Which triads use only these notes?
The seven natural-minor triads are Fm, G diminished, A flat, B flat minor, Cm, D flat and E flat. Start by playing Fm-D flat-E flat-Fm. Each chord can be built without introducing a new pitch.
The fifth chord Cm contains C-E flat-G. Raise E flat to E natural and it becomes C major, a common way to lead into F minor. Try Cm-Fm, then C-Fm. E natural rises a half step to F. It is an added accidental in this context, not part of the natural-minor scale.
One practical memory test
Play F-A flat-C together. Then name the two other black keys that first appear as you climb the scale: B flat and D flat. Finally find E flat before returning to F.