Lesson 46: Minor Keys, Part 1 — Natural and Harmonic Minor
- Hear and play the difference between natural and harmonic D minor.
- Hear and play the difference between natural and harmonic G minor.
- Hear the raised seventh lead into the home note.
Minor music can vary its sixth and seventh.
Natural minor follows its key signature; harmonic minor raises note seven to lead by a half step into home.
D harmonic minor
G harmonic minor
Start here: play with C natural, then with the written C-sharp; hear how C-sharp leads to D.
Start here: play with F natural, then with the written F-sharp; hear how F-sharp leads to G.
A natural minor — no accidentals
D natural minor — one flat
G lies a whole tone below A.
C lies a whole tone below D.
A harmonic minor — raised G
D harmonic minor — raised C
After Lesson 49, compare F5–G#5–A5: wide step, then half step.
After Lesson 49, compare Bb5–C#6–D6: wide step, then half step.
Play: Telemann, TWV 41:a4 — Allegro cadence
Listening preview: these E-minor bars reach C6; hear D# lead to E.
Listening preview: these A-minor bars reach F6; hear G# lead to A.
Return to play after Lessons 49–50.
Now play these
- Telemann: Sonatina in A minor, TWV 41:a4 — complete Andante
- Complete E-minor Andante: compare cadences.
- Complete original A-minor Andante: compare cadences.
- Telemann: Sonata in D minor, TWV 41:d4 — complete Affettuoso
- Complete A-minor Affettuoso, with grace notes.
- Complete original D-minor Affettuoso, with grace notes.
- Loeillet of Ghent: Sonata in A minor, Op. 1 No. 1 — complete solo part
- E minor — D# leads into cadences.
- Original A minor: G# leads into cadences.
When both lower-scale versions sound even and you hear the raised seventh lead home, continue to Lesson 47.