Musicology 139 001 Lecture 2 Sept 10th, 2025 - E minor & melodic minor quick reference
Key relationship: G major and E minor
- They are relative major/minor pairs; share the same key signature.
- G major key signature: one sharp (F#); E minor naturally uses the same signature.
- Tonic focus in E minor is on E; cadence and tonal center help identify it as minor when in this key signature.
- Natural minor (E natural minor): E \ F# \ G \ A \ B \ C \ D \ E
- Harmonic minor (ascending raises 7th): E \ F# \ G \ A \ B \ C \ D# \ E
- Melodic minor (ascending raises 6th and 7th): E \ F# \ G \ A \ B \ C# \ D# \ E
- Melodic minor (descending reverts to natural minor): E \ D \ C \ B \ A \ G \ F# \ E
Ascending vs descending in melodic minor (E minor)
- Ascending: raise 6th and 7th degrees (C and D become C# and D#).
- Descending: typically revert to natural minor (C and D natural).
- Practical note: In E minor, ascending melodic minor uses C# and D#; descending uses C and D.
Quick reference reminders
- If a key centers on E and the signature is one sharp, the piece is likely in E minor (relative to G major).
- Upward melodic minor: C#, D#; Downward: C, D (natural minor).
- Harmonic minor changes only the seventh degree (D becomes D#) in ascending form; descending often follows natural minor.