Piano Chord LibraryRead the spaces, not just the keys
W means a whole step (two semitones); H means a half step (one semitone). The major pattern is W–W–H–W–W–W–H. Natural minor uses W–H–W–W–H–W–W. Black and white keys both count when measuring these distances.
Each seven-note scale uses each letter once before the root repeats. For example, F♯ major includes E♯ rather than F natural: E♯ and F sound on the same key, but E♯ keeps the scale's letter sequence intact.
Compare parallel scales
- Play C major and say each note.
- Keep C as the root and choose natural minor.
- Notice E♭, A♭ and B♭ replacing E, A and B: the third, sixth and seventh degrees are lower.
Harmonic minor raises natural minor’s seventh. Ascending melodic minor raises both sixth and seventh; classical descending melodic minor usually returns to natural minor. Pentatonic scales use five distinct notes. Compare minor forms or learn the pentatonic patterns.