Thus, for instance, the A natural minor scale can be built by lowering the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of the A major scale by one semitone: Because of this, we say that a number without a flat represents a major (or perfect) interval, while a number with a flat represents a minor interval. By making use of flat symbols ( ♭) this notation thus represents notes by how they deviate from the notes in the major scale.

This notation is based on the major scale, and represents each degree (each note in the scale) by a number, starting with the tonic (the first, lowest note of the scale). In this way, a natural minor scale is represented by the following notation: For instance, since the 6th degree of F major is D, the relative minor of F major is D minor.Ī natural minor scale can also be constructed by altering a major scale with accidentals. Every major key has a relative minor, which starts on the 6th scale degree or step. You can download the audio file.īecause of this, the key of A minor is called the relative minor of C major. Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony in B minor ends in B major.Audio playback is not supported in your browser. The 'Tuileries' movement from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition is in the key.

The second movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. Brahms also wrote the slow movement to his Second Symphony in B major, as well as the fourth and last piece of the Ballades, Op. 8, is in B major, though the piece ends in B minor. The aria ' La donna è mobile' from Verdi's opera Rigoletto is in the key, as is the ' Flower Duet' from Lakmé. įew large-scale works in B major exist: these include Haydn's Symphony No. You can download the audio file.Īlthough B major is usually considered a remote key (due to its distance from C major in the circle of fifths and fairly large number of sharps), Frédéric Chopin regarded its scale as the easiest of all to play on the piano, as its black notes fit the natural positions of the fingers well as a consequence he often assigned it first to beginning piano students, leaving the scale of C major until last because he considered it the hardest of all scales to play completely evenly (because of its complete lack of black notes). Audio playback is not supported in your browser.

Minor scale with b flat